Former NHL star Ryan Kesler charged with sex offense in Michigan

Max Reinhart, The Detroit News on Oct 28, 2025

Published in Hockey

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DETROIT — Metro Detroit native and former National Hockey League star Ryan Kesler has been charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in a Bloomfield Hills court, online records show.

Kesler, 41, was arraigned Monday on two misdemeanor counts of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree, according to 48th District Court records. Fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct is punishable by a maximum of two years imprisonment and a fine of $500 for each count.

The offenses are alleged to have taken place Jan. 1. The charges were filed by the Orchard Lake Police Department.

Kesler pleaded not guilty and his bond was set by Judge Kimberly Small at $5,000, which has been posted, records show.

“Ryan emphatically denies the allegations and is completely innocent of the charges. The allegations are false, and he is prepared to fight them vigorously in court," Kesler's attorney Robert Morad said in a Tuesday email statement.

"Just like all citizens accused of a crime, he is presumed to be innocent. We are confident that when all of the facts and circumstances are presented that he will be fully exonerated.”

Morad said he would have no further comment on the case.

The Athletic first reported the story Monday.

Kesler, a Livonia, Mich., native, played 15 seasons in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks. He won a silver medal as part of the 2010 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team and was part of the team that finished in fourth in the 2014 Olympic Games.

Kesler now coaches youth hockey through the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club, which lists him as the current coach for the 15U bantam midget team.

A fellow coach with the program, Derek Roehl, had no comment on the allegations. Program director Brian Rolston did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

A probable cause conference is slated for Nov. 6 with a preliminary examination to follow Nov. 13, court records show.