A former football player - the man dubbed the so-called "Rutland Rapist" - pleaded guilty to a series of sexual assaults that shook Kelowna, B.C., two years ago.

Okanagan Sun defensive back Tyler Stephens, now 21, was arrested and charged in October 2008, shocking local residents.

"Nobody's happy about it, it's a sad part of life," Okanagan Sun president Les Weiss said after his arrest. "Nobody foresaw this happening, obviously. He's been a member of our football club for two years."

Nine assaults were reported in Kelowna's Rutland neighbourhood between May and November 2007. On Thursday, Stephens pleaded guilty to all nine charges of sexual assault.

Stephens was also charged with wearing a mask while committing the offences, but his lawyer Nicole Shabus says she expects the Crown to stay the remaining charges.

Stephens made a video appearance in court Thursday, and confirmed his guilty pleas.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 18.

With files from The Canadian Press