The Edmonton Oilers have thrown forward Jake Virtanen a lifeline by inviting him to training camp on a professional tryout contract.
On Monday, the Oilers announced Virtanen and defenceman Jason Demers, 34, would be attending training camp on PTOs, which starts Wednesday with physicals and medicals.
Virtanen, 26, was the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks and was eventually bought out after he was charged with one count of sexual assault in January.
Virtanen was found not guilty in a jury trial this summer. He spent last season in Russia playing with Spartak Moscow.
“It was obviously a very long process, I wanted to follow that process all the way through and do it the right way,” Virtanen said Monday. “Going over to Russia was definitely a new experience for me and then coming back, when my court case is done, I wanted to come back. I loved playing in the NHL and I just wanted to make that happen again and I have that opportunity right now.”
Oilers general manager Ken Holland is expected to speak on the signings later in the week.
Virtanen, who has a civil trial pending on the case, had nine goals and 16 points in 36 games last season in the KHL. He returned to North America for his trial this summer where he was found not guilty in July.
Following the verdict, Virtanen began to look around for other NHL opportunities. In his final season with the Canucks in 2020-21, he had five goals in 38 games.
“There were quite a few teams interested, we had lots of conversations over the summer time,” Virtanen said. “Edmonton was one of them. I talked a lot over the summer with them and they were really good conversations.
“It was good summer and after my stuff (court case) was all done, we really started to talk more and it was good to come here.”
News of Virtanen’s invitation to training camp has sparked backlash on social media by those who believe the product of New Westminster, B.C., does not deserve another opportunity considering the seriousness of the allegations.
Virtanen was accused of sexual assault by a woman, court documents say, he met at the 2017 Calgary Stampede. The women alleged she traveled to Vancouver that September, got together with Virtanen and he sexually assaulted her in a hotel room. Virtanen said the sexual encounter was consensual.
“For me, going through something like this is a very tough thing to go through for me and my family and my partner,” Virtanen said. “Going through something like that, you go through a lot of ups and downs, and you learn a lot about yourself and who you are as a person.
“You do a lot of self-reflection on who you are and your self-worth. It was a long process. I thought that by the end of it, I’m very happy and very grateful that I did it the right way with the right process. I went through the whole thing properly, now I’m here and I’m very grateful for this opportunity.”
Virtanen is aware the tryout offer by the Oilers is unpopular with some fans.
“Everyone has their own opinion on everything and I think that’s important, everyone should have their own opinion on everything, that’s why we live in a great country,” Virtanen said. “I went through the process on everything and it was very hard. It felt very long for me, in my heart I was very stressed, and I went through a lot. At the end of the day, I went through a lot, but I’m very happy I did it the right way.”
If Virtanen can earn a contract with the Oilers, it would likely be in a bottom-six role to start. When selected by the Canucks, he was expected to help turn the franchise around.
Virtanen’s most productive season was in 2019-’20, when he had 18 goals and 36 points in 69 games. He then added two goals and three points in 16 playoff games.
“I want to come in and I want to be a player — I want to get back to my game and I want to be that power forward and I want to use my speed and my shot and I just want to work hard and that’s what I’m looking to do,” Virtanen said. “I think coming in here, the players are great, you have some of the best players in the world on this team, it’s a very skilled and a very exciting team. I think it’s going to be a great year for this team and I think for me to make this time, I just have to find a way on any line.
“I want to do everything I can to be a 200-foot player, and you just have to give your best effort every day and you just have to come in and work hard and that’s what you have to.”
Virtanen had signed a two-year, $5.1-million contract extension with the Canucks just prior to the sexual assault accusation, which was made in May, 2021. Vancouver went on to buy out the last year of his contract, making Virtanen an unrestricted free agent.
The Oilers are currently $6.7 million over the salary cap and would have to make room for Virtanen if he makes the team.
“It was great being drafted by Vancouver, I loved that — being raised in the Lower Mainland and watching them grow up, the Canucks is a team I always watched,” Virtanen said. “I loved Vancouver and they had a great organization there, I don’t have anything bad to say about it. I love all those guys still. In Vancouver I had great teammates, a great staff and it was a great organization.
“It was tough though, because being a hometown guy, and everybody knowing you, it was tough, but I really enjoyed it and there was a lot of pressure on me and I felt I did all right. With this new start and this new opportunity, I’m very excited.”
Email: dvandiest@postmedia.com
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