Former Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen Not Guilty

Vancouver Hockey Now has not been going to court every day keeping track of the sexual assault trial of former Vancouver Canucks winger Jake Virtanen. Credit to others for doing so.

Today (Tuesday) the verdict came down. Not Guilty.

The Canadian Press reported the following from the morning proceedings …

Virtanen wept openly when the verdict was read in B.C. Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Virtanen was charged in January with sexual assault in connection with an incident in a downtown Vancouver hotel room in September 2017.

The 25-year-old former NHL player told the court last week that the woman was an “enthusiastic participant” in the encounter.

It turns out this statement issued by Virtanen and his agent Kevin Epp in January was accurate.

As we have previously stated, Mr. Virtanen denies the allegations of non-consensual sexual contact with the complainant.  He has filed a response to the complainant’s civil lawsuit. He has sent police a statement, denying the allegations. He took a polygraph examination and provided that report to the police. Mr. Virtanen continues to maintain his innocence and looks forward to defending himself at trial.  Until such time, we do not intend to make any further public statements.

Virtanen added this statement Tuesday afternoon:

“I am incredibly relieved that the jury has found me not guilty, after considering all of the evidence in my trial. I am glad the truth has come to light. I am looking forward to resuming my career as an NHL player. For my whole life I have dreamed about playing the sport I love, in the best league in the world. I want to thank my family, my friends, and my supporters, the people who stood behind me through these most difficult times.”

Virtanen had been placed on leave by the Vancouver Canucks in the spring of 2021 and had his contract bought out the following month. He had signed a two-year contract worth a total of $5.1-million in October of 2020.

Virtanen, a Langley native, was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft, 6th-overall. He has tallied exactly 100 career NHL regular season points in 317 games played and added 219 penalty minutes.