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Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen put on waivers, team seeks buyout

Jake Virtanen
Jake Virtanen wears a Vancouver Canucks sweater after being chosen sixth overall during the first round of the NHL hockey draft, Friday, June 27, 2014, in Philadelphia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Matt Slocum

Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen has been placed on unconditional waivers for the purposes of a contract buyout, the team confirmed Sunday.

The Canucks placed Virtanen on leave in May, in response to what the team called “concerning allegations.”

A B.C. woman has accused the forward of sexual assault, and has filed a civil suit in B.C. Supreme Court. Vancouver police have also confirmed they are investigating the allegations.

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Virtanen maintains the 2017 encounter was fully consensual, and is seeking to have the civil suit dismissed.

 

Click to play video: 'Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen put on leave amid ‘concerning allegations’'
Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen put on leave amid ‘concerning allegations’

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

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The Canucks drafted Virtanen, 24, sixth overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

The team left him unprotected in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft.

 

 

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