Looking somber and perhaps even a bit aged, Chicago Blackhawks star forward Patrick Kane made his first public appearance since becoming the focal point of a rape investigation in upstate New York this offseason, fielding a few short questions at the outset of Blackhawks training camp on Thursday. Kane, accompanied at the press conference by Blackhawks team president John McDonough, GM Stan Bowman and head coach Joel Quenneville, said little, but pronounced his innocence and his hope that he would be absolved of any wrongdoing. He also made it clear that he was very appreciative of the probing questions with which he was being peppered.
"I cannot apologize enough for the distraction this has caused my family, teammates, this incredible organization and, of course, our fans," said Kane, via ESPN. "While I have too much respect for the legal process to comment on an ongoing matter, I am confident once all the facts are brought to light I will be absolved of having done [anything] wrong."
Kane is accused of raping a woman he met at a downtown Buffalo club. The woman and her friend returned with Kane to his lakefront home in Hamburg, NY where the woman alleges that she went to an empty room by herself, into which Kane followed her in and forcibly raped her. Reports have suggested that the woman suffered bite markes and scratches as a result of the attack and submitted to a rape kit after traveling to a hospital for examination.
It was a surprise to many that the team would allow Kane to join them at training camp considering the severity of his legal issues and the claims of the woman, but McDonough made clear that the franchise thought having Kane with them would be best.
"We recognize that Patrick Kane is dealing with a very serious situation," McDonough said. "Based on our discussions with his legal representatives who are very close to this matter, we have decided to have Patrick join us for training camp."
Recent reports have indicated that Kane's representatives have been speaking with the alleged victim's attorney and the two sides are discussing a settlement. The woman who traveled with the alleged victim to Kane's home on the night in question was set to appear as a witness before a grand jury, but the investigation was unexpectedly halted last week.
Kane, appearing calm, if a bit unsettled, deflected every question posed to him by the assembled media and made it clear that he would not comment further on the matter.
"I know you guys have a lot of questions," Kane said, per ESPN. "I'd love to answer the questions. I'd love to answer them. I'd love to get in front of them and face them. This just isn't the right time to do it with my respect, the Blackhawks' respect for the legal process and what's going on. I really can't comment about that right now."
