For the past couple of weeks, former Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen has been linked to the KHL.
First, there were reports out of Russia that SKA St. Petersburg was interested in Virtanen’s services, and then this weekend, a report from Russian site Championat claimed Virtanen was signing with Yaroslav Lokomotiv. The clubs nor Virtanen’s camp confirmed either of these reports.
Today, Rick Dhaliwal of Donnie and Dhali – The Team reported that Virtanen has signed a one-year contract with Spartak of the KHL.
Virtanen was placed on leave by the Canucks in April after an allegation of sexual misconduct came out online. A woman subsequently filed a civil lawsuit against Virtanen in May, as well as a report to the Vancouver Police Department. Her name is being protected in the civil suit.
The suit alleges “the actions of Virtanen were reckless, arrogant, high-handed, abusive and show a callous disregard for the wishes of the plaintiff.”
Virtanen responded to the civil suit in June alleging the two engaged in consensual sexual intercourse.
The allegations have yet to be tested or proven in court.
Virtanen will be joining former Canuck Sergei Shirokov and Elias Pettersson’s brother Emil in Spartak.