Jake Virtanen named in sexual misconduct lawsuit

In case you missed the shocking story earlier this month, Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen was accused of sexual misconduct from an unnamed women after an encounter in 2017. The Canucks subsequently placed Virtanen on indefinite leave.

Yesterday the woman, who was 18 years old at the time of the allegations, officially filed the lawsuit in BC provincial court. Virtanen now has three weeks to file a defence. 

According to Vancouver’s Glacier Media, the lawsuit alleges “the actions of Virtanen were reckless, arrogant, high-handed, abusive and show a callous disregard for the wishes of the plaintiff.”

According to the claim, Virtanen and the woman agreed to meet for a date, but Virtanen allegedly instead drove her to a Vancouver hotel where he was staying.

The civil claim alleges when they entered the room, “Virtanen came up behind the plaintiff and began kissing her neck and putting his hands all over her body. The plaintiff allegedly shrugged Virtanen off.”

The civil claim alleges Virtanen “became more persistent in his attempt to have sex with the plaintiff.”

The woman claims in her court filings that she told Virtanen “no.”

“Given Virtanen’s height, body weight and superior strength, the plaintiff was powerless and was unable to force Virtanen off of her,” the documents allege. “Virtanen proceeded to push open the plaintiff’s legs and to have sexual intercourse with the plaintiff without the plaintiff’s consent.”

“I couldn’t believe that I said no and he didn’t take that for an answer,” she says. “I felt violated and gross and wanted to leave.”

None of these allegations have been proven in court and Virtanen himself has not yet issued a statement.