Ensuring Fair Process For Players In Sexual Assault Claims - The Jake Virtanen NHL Case

In recent years, several prominent professional athletes have been accused of sexual misconduct. For some, there appears to have been little, if any, impact in terms of their contractual status with their teams. However, in most cases where the alleged misconduct is substantiated before the courts, the player’s contract is terminated. This article is about an athlete, Jake Virtanen, a former National Hockey League (NHL) player, who had his NHL contract terminated prior to any independent judicial determination regarding the veracity of the allegation. It will examine:

• The Player’s Professional Background

• The Sexual Assault Allegation And Criminal Trial

• Procedural Fairness And The Court Of Public Opinion

• The Troubling Aspects Of The Case

• Lessons For Clubs, Leagues & Players’ Associations