Ryan Kesler, a former Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks all-star, has been charged with two misdemeanour counts of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree, according to court records. Article content

The 41-year-old retired forward was arraigned in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., on Monday and pleaded not guilty. Article content Article content

The charges were filed against Kesler on Oct. 23 stemming from an alleged incident that took place on Jan. 1, according to court records.

“Ryan emphatically denies the allegations and is completely innocent of the charges. The charges are baseless and he is prepared to fight them vigorously in court,” Kesler’s lawyer, Robert Morad, told The Athletic on Monday evening.

“As the legal process begins, we ask for respect for his privacy and f

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