Top headlines of the week, Oct. 24 2025
Here are some stories you may have missed this week in central Ohio.
Former NHL and Ohio State hockey player Ryan Kesler pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct on Oct. 27 in Bloomfield Hills District in Michigan, according to court records.
The criminal complaint alleges that Kesler had sexual contact with a 16-year-old “through force or coercion and/or (had) reason to know the victim was physically helpless,” according to The Athletic.
The Athletic also spoke to Kesler’s lawyer. “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,” Robert Morad said.
Kesler posted $50,000 bond on Oct. 27, and his next hearing date is a probable cause conference set for Nov. 6.
The Michigan Amateur Hockey Association suspended Kesler from all hockey activities with MAHA and USA Hockey, the association’s president told The Athletic. Kesler was in his third year of coaching a youth hockey club in the Detroit area.
Kesler played in the 2002-03 season at Ohio State before getting drafted by the Vancouver Canucks with the No. 23 pick in the 2003 NHL Draft.