Advertisement

Trial date set for former Vancouver Canuck Jake Virtanen charged with sexual assault

Click to play video: 'Former Canuck Jake Virtanen faces sexual assault charge'
Former Canuck Jake Virtanen faces sexual assault charge
A former Vancouver Canuck first-round draft pick was charged with sexual assault, Thursday, on allegations dating back to an incident in 2017. Jake Virtanen was charged after a woman, now 23, came forward with her allegations. Virtanen maintains his innocence. Emad Agahi reports – Jan 27, 2022

A trial date has been set for a former Vancouver Canucks forward charged with sexual assault.

Jake Virtanen‘s case is set to be heard by a judge and jury in B.C. Supreme Court starting on July 18.

Virtanen, 25, was charged with one count of sexual assault in January following a police investigation into an incident that took place on Sept. 26, 2017, when he was playing for the Canucks.

Click to play video: 'Former  Canucks player Jake Virtanen charged with sexual assault'
Former Canucks player Jake Virtanen charged with sexual assault

Vancouver police launched the investigation in May 2021 after a 23-year-old woman filed a complaint.

Story continues below advertisement

The Canucks placed Virtanen, a native of Abbotsford, B.C., on leave the same month and his contract was bought out in June.

He last played for Spartak Moscow in the Russian-based KHL and is not in custody.

Virtanen was selected sixth overall by Vancouver in the 2014 NHL draft and played 317 regular-season games for the Canucks, registering 55 goals and 100 points.

Sponsored content

AdChoices