According to multiple news outlets, former NHL player Ryan Kesler has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in Michigan.
The charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred on January 1 in Orchard Lake Michigan. Kesler has pleaded not guilty and denies the allegations. He is currently suspended from all youth hockey activities in Michigan.
According to the criminal complaint, both counts allege that Kesler engaged in sexual contact with a 16-year-old child “through force or coercion and/or (had) reason to know the victim was physically helpless.”
Kesler and his Little Caesars U-14 team gained national attention last year for a controversial game that went viral — a 43-0 win over Belle Tire. The lopsided score sparked debate throughout the hockey community about sportsmanship, coaching ethics, and competitive balance at the youth level.
At the time, Kesler defended the 43-0 score and his team’s approach, saying the lopsided result stemmed from the absence of a mercy rule during playoff games. In light of the recent charges, however, those earlier defenses ring hollow. While Kesler remains innocent until proven guilty, repeated incidents that call his judgment and ethics into question inevitably raise concerns about the kind of example being set for young players and families in the game.
Leave a Reply