[News] Jake Virtanen on leave from the Canucks after sexual misconduct allegation

[sureLoss]

https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/b...gation-3683377

Allegations of sexual misconduct have surfaced online against an NHL player.

The woman has spoken exclusively to Glacier Media and has identified the individual as Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen, 24.

“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.”

Glacier Media has agreed not to identify her due to her fear of public backlash. For the purpose of this story, we will refer to her as ‘Emily’.

Although Emily has contacted the police, there are no charges and none of these allegations have been proven in court.

In an email statement on Friday evening, the Vancouver Canucks say the player has been placed on leave.

“We have become aware of the concerning allegations made about one of our players. Our organization does not accept sexual misconduct of any kind and the claims as reported are being treated very seriously by us,” says a Canucks spokesperson. “We have engaged external expertise to assist in an independent investigation and we have placed the player on leave as we await more information.”

The alleged incident took place in September 2017.

The two agreed to meet, Virtanen allegedly picked her up and drove her to a Vancouver hotel where the alleged sexual misconduct occurred.

Emily spoke out after seeing other women come forward with their own experiences on an anonymous Instagram account.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Virtanen has always seemed like an entitled idiot, but obviously not going to assume anything one way or another.

Who the heck is Glacier Media, though? Do they own any of the local papers?

[Gaskal]

Always seemed like a psycho!

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Who the heck is Glacier Media, though? Do they own any of the local papers?

From wikipedia

Glacier owns community newspapers and websites in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.[4] Glacier purchased its largest newspaper, the Times Colonist of Victoria, British Columbia, in an $86.5 million deal in 2011.[3] The deal included other newspapers formerly held by Postmedia Network.[29] Other daily newspapers include Alaska Highway News. Weekly newspapers include: North Shore News, Delta Optimist, Burnaby Now, Richmond News, The Prince George Citizen.[29] New Westminster Record,[30] Coast Reporter, The Squamish Chief and Weyburn Review.

In April 2019, Glacier announced its intent to acquire Castanet Media, owner of the Kelowna-based online publication Castanet. The purchase also includes its co-owned radio station CKOO-FM, subject to CRTC approval.[31][32]

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Virtanen has always seemed like an entitled idiot, but obviously not going to assume anything one way or another.

Who the heck is Glacier Media, though? Do they own any of the local papers?

Glacier owns community newspapers and websites in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.[4] Glacier purchased its largest newspaper, the Times Colonist of Victoria, British Columbia, in an $86.5 million deal in 2011.[3] The deal included other newspapers formerly held by Postmedia Network.[29] Other daily newspapers include Alaska Highway News. Weekly newspapers include: North Shore News, Delta Optimist, Burnaby Now, Richmond News, The Prince George Citizen.[29] New Westminster Record,[30] Coast Reporter, The Squamish Chief and Weyburn Review.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier_Media

[N-E-B]

Went to high school with him. Not shocked at all. I have stories that I don’t want to post because the forum might get in trouble, but he’s an absolute scum bag and he has been for a very long time.

Gross person and I’m glad he’s been exposed. Never liked him.

[sharkov]

Virtanen is going to get cancelled soon

[Sylvanfan]

He's always had that "Ebby" Laloosh vibe about him where he has million dollar talent and a 5 cent head. Some how or another he seemed intent on getting pennies on the dollar for his hockey talent.

[Hey Connor, It's Mess]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Went to high school with him. Not shocked at all. I have stories that I don’t want to post because the forum might get in trouble, but he’s an absolute scum bag and he has been for a very long time.

Gross person and I’m glad he’s been exposed. Never liked him.

You're not alone. A female friend several years ago told me about an incident with him (and we'll leave it at that).

Virtanen did not have a good reputation while he was here playing for the Hitmen. I hoped he had matured but it sounds like the behavior may have only escalated.

I will try my best to give him some benefit of doubt but his alleged victim(s) should also be listened to respectfully.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by sharkov

Virtanen is going to get cancelled soon

Setting aside Virtanen specifically. I don’t think losing your job because of sexual misconduct is “cancelling”.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Virtanen won't be the only NHL player singled out -- expect more.

Puck Bunny culture has been around, well, as long as there's been professional sports. The NHL either answers with strong measures or the unfortunate consequence might be clubs becoming reticent regarding hiring young women in office positions.

[MoneyGuy]

Yeah, a friend played in the CFL and retired, in part because of all of the women who threw themselves at him and other players. That’s the CFL; I can only imagine what it’s like in the NHL.

[corporatejay]

I'm not sure what puck bunnies or women voluntary throwing themselves at professional athletes has to do with alleged sexual misconduct and not taking "no" for an answer.

There is nothing wrong with hockey players having sex with a lot of women, as long as it's consensual.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

There is nothing wrong with hockey players having sex with a lot of women, as long as it's consensual.

What's wrong with it is that a few of those players are hugely self-centred and not too bright, and they may come to expect ‘yes’ as the default answer – to the point where they think ‘no’ is a joke.

[Ped]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

I'm not sure what puck bunnies or women voluntary throwing themselves at professional athletes has to do with alleged sexual misconduct and not taking "no" for an answer.

There is nothing wrong with hockey players having sex with a lot of women, as long as it's consensual.

I didn't make the puck bunny comment, but it's long been a non-discussed problem in Canada that hockey players, especially in junior where they are the "stars" have had issues with sexual situations with young women, and that many of those young women are disbelieved or discredited because they are looked up as "puck bunnies."

[Oling_Roachinen]

Some incredibly heinous takes in this thread already.

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Setting aside Virtanen specifically. I don’t think losing your job because of sexual misconduct is “cancelling”.

It is if the allegations are simply that and he is not guilty of any charges, nevermind if charges are not even laid. Theres a very good chance Virtanen does not get another NHL contract because of optics.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

What's wrong with it is that a few of those players are hugely self-centred and not too bright, and they may come to expect ‘yes’ as the default answer – to the point where they think ‘no’ is a joke.

That’s on those players, not their victims.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

What's wrong with it is that a few of those players are hugely self-centred and not too bright, and they may come to expect ‘yes’ as the default answer – to the point where they think ‘no’ is a joke.

That's exactly it. The Culture. It's not on the women employed within the industry to accept it.

Being sexually harassed (or worse) by co-workers isn't a part of the job description.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by sharkov

Virtanen is going to get cancelled soon

The #### is this?

If things went down as this woman has stated, what Virtanen did was rape. He's not getting 'cancelled'. This isn't some joke. He forced himself on someone who made it clear that they weren't into it. This is a crime.

Obviously, he is innocent until proven guilty but this #### isn't some internet meme. It should be taken more seriously than a glib drive by.