LATEST | Former Vancouver Canuck about to get tossed from his Swiss hockey team

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S. Harper
February 8, 2023 (6:02 PM)

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Former Vancouver Canuck Forward Jake Virtanen had so much potential being drafted 6th overall back in 2014 but couldn't put it all together.

Due to a lot of reasons, the Canucks bought out Virtanen's contract in July 2021 after the news broke that Virtanen was sent on a mandatory leave of absence after sexual misconduct allegations made against him, Vancouver police ultimately charged him with one count of sexual assault.

However back in this past July, a B.C. jury found Virtanen not guilty due to insufficient evidence, despite that the damage to Virtanen's reputation was done and no NHL club including the Vancouver Canucks would show interest in his services anymore.

After Virtanen failed to make the Edmonton Oilers lineup on a professional tryout, he went to play in the Swiss hockey League. Virtanen seems now to have burned the bridge with the Swiss League as he's been suspended by the team, and teammates want him gone.

"According to reports out of Switzerland, Abbotsford's Jake Virtanen has irritated his EHC Visp teammates and will not be joining the team for the Swiss League playoffs, which begin later this month.

Swiss newspaper Le Matin reported on Tuesday (Feb. 7) that Virtanen alienated his teammates and got into a fight on the bench with Daniel Eigenmann during a game on Jan. 31.

Following that altercation, Eigenmann reportedly contacted EHC Visp management and stated that either Virtanen has to go or the rest of the team will quit. Virtanen did not dress in the final two regular season games for EHC Visp and management later confirmed to the newspaper that he is available for other teams to acquire.

Numerous teammates felt that Virtanen was "playing selfishly." It's believed that Virtanen is available for any team in the league to pick up, but no teams have chosen to add him due to his poor attitude.

Despite Virtanen's problems, he did put up some impressive numbers, with 15 goals and 10 assists in 21 games, he was third on the team in scoring and sixth in points. Regardless of his obvious hockey skills, it looks like Virtanen's playing days could be forced to an early retirement.