When Electronic Arts' (EA) "NHL 16" video game hits the stores on Sept. 15, gamers will no longer see Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane on its cover due to an ongoing police probe.
"In light of the ongoing investigation involving Patrick Kane, he will no longer be a spokesperson for the launch of EA SPORTS NHL 16," EA Sports announced in a statement on Wednesday.
"He will not appear on the EA SPORTS NHL 16 cover nor participate in other EA SPORTS NHL 16 promotional activities," the company added.
A woman claims that Kane assaulted and raped her in the his New York home. In addition to sexual assault, the complainant sustained bite marks and scratches, HNGN previously reported.
The original art in previous iterations of the game showed Blackhawks teammates Kane and Jonathan Toews holding the Stanley Cup together. They were reportedly chosen to be part of the NHL cover and as spokespersons for the game because of their chemistry. EA Sports added that the the duo's ability to play well together fits with the company's slogan, "Play Together, Win Together," USA Today reported. "NHL 16" will now sport a redesigned cover featuring Toews holding the Cup on his own.
EA only changed the figures on the cover of its hugely NHL franchise in 2004 when Dany Heatley was replaced by Joe Sacik after the former's car accident that killed Dan Snyder, Heatley's Atlanta Thrasher teammate.
Kane was already charged with "second-degree robbery, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and theft of services" in 2009 after an altercation with a cab driver, according to Yahoo! Sports. EA was still quite forgiving then since he stayed in the cover.
