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.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
The Canucks drafted Virtanen, 24, sixth overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
The team left him unprotected in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft.