Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane spoke briefly to reporters on Monday, denying allegations of sexual assault levied against him after an alleged incident Sunday morning in a downtown Buffalo hotel.
"Obviously you guys are all aware of the situation that occurred, or that's going on right now," Kane said Monday, via The Buffalo News' John Hickey. "There's not a whole lot I can say. I just want to say I've done nothing wrong; I look forward to clearing my name. I respect the legal process and, unfortunately at this time, there's not much more I can talk about."
#Buffalo Sabre's Evander #Kane addresses sexual assault allegations after Monday morning skate pic.twitter.com/6aL2GFsneB
— John Hickey (@jhickeyBN) December 28, 2015
Lou Michel and Tim Graham of The Buffalo News first reported the allegations late Sunday afternoon. "Police sources" indicated to The News that Kane had not been charged with a crime, but was the subject of a "sex offense investigation."
Kane did not take part in practice for the Sabres on Sunday, due to what the team dubbed, "personal reasons."
The team has since acknowledged the investigation.
"We take the allegation made today against Evander Kane very seriously," the Sabres said in a statement. "We are gathering facts and have been in touch with the NHL and Evander's representatives. Until we have more information we will not have any additional comment."
The NHL is also monitoring the situation closely.
"We are aware of and monitoring the investigation involving Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane," the NHL said in a statement. "We will have no further comment at this time."
Kane, 24, was acquired by the Sabres in trade with the Winnipeg Jets in February. Kane has played well for the Sabres thus far this season, posting eight goals and five assists in 26 games.
He is not the first high-profile NHL player to face rape allegations in Buffalo in the recent past. Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane was the subject of a sexual assault investigation after an alleged incident occurred at his lakefront home in Hamburg.
After a series of bizarre events, Patrick Kane was eventually exonerated.
