The case against a former NHL hockey player accused of sex crimes has advanced to Oakland County Circuit Court for possible trial.
At the conclusion of a Dec. 4 preliminary exam in 48th District Court, Judge Marc Barron ruled there was probable cause to bind over the case against 41-year-old Ryan Kesler. Kesler, a metro Detroit native, is charged with two “high-court” misdemeanors of fourth-degree criminal conduct for an alleged Jan. 1 incident.
Ryan Kesler booking photo
Kesler 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 place in the 2014 Olympic games. He’s currently a youth hockey coach through the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club.
Arraignment in Oakland County Circuit Court is scheduled for Dec. 16 before Judge Victoria Valentine.
Ryan Kesler, #17, duirng his time with the NHL (file photo by David Guralnick/The Detroit News)
Fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct is punishable by up to two years incarceration and/or a $500 fine.
Kesler is out of custody after posting a $5,000 bond.
The Detroit News contributed to this story.
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