<p>VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen has been accused in a lawsuit of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel four years ago.</p>
<p>The suit, filed last week in Kelowna, British Columbia, alleges Virtanen took the woman to a hotel in West Vancouver in September 2017 and assaulted her as she repeatedly said no and pleaded with him to stop. </p>
<p>Virtanen’s agent did not immediately respond to requests for comment.</p>
<p>The allegations have not been tested in court and a defense statement has not been filed. The statement of claim says the woman, identified only by her initials, suffered physical and emotional damages, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and repeated and ongoing nightmares.</p>
<p>On May 1, the Canucks placed the 24-year-old Canadian player on leave, saying the team “does not accept sexual misconduct of any kind and the claims as reported are being treated very seriously.”</p>
<p>The Canucks said at the time it had “engaged external expertise” to assist in an independent investigation. The NHL said then it would not comment until the investigation was complete. </p>
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