Patrick Kane Target of Buffalo Rape Investigation

Tommie Lee
Aug 7, 2015
2 min read

What we know

Not much. News outlets in the Blackhawks winger’s hometown of Buffalo are reporting that Patrick Kane is the subject of sexual assault accusations. The alleged incident took place during the first weekend of August and no charges have been filed as of Thursday evening.

The Buffalo News quotes law enforcement sources as saying the woman at the center of the accusation went to a hospital and a rape kit was administered.

Buffalo area police say they are continuing the process of gathering evidence and other information, and that any further comment at this time would be inappropriate.

Kane, who signed an 8-year $84 million contract that goes into effect next season, had been scheduled to have his day with the Stanley Cup in South Buffalo this weekend. Whether or not that’s still happening is unknown.

The NHL is monitoring the situation and Erie County officials will neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation “until someone has been charged with a crime.”

What we remember

Kane’s had some issues, to put it mildly.

It’s too early to say what’s going on here, because we don’t have the facts. We have the recollection of Kaner assaulting a Buffalo cab driver with his cousin over a dispute with the fare. He pleaded guilty and had to issue an apology.

He has cultivated a reputation as an out-of-control partier. It’s been said that he can be cold and abrupt with people and has displayed childish behavior, but the same is said from time to time of most athletes. It is said a number of people in Chicago have “Drunk Kane” stories.

Last year he spoke with the press about the slow process of his maturity, calling himself fortunate that the Blackhawks have stuck by him during his issues. He has said repeatedly how happy he is playing for Chicago.

We remember that he was having an MVP-type season last year until he was sidetracked with his injury, and came back like a force of nature in the playoffs. We remember two Olympic appearances, three Stanley Cups and the air of anticipation that comes every single time his stick touches the puck.

And until more information is known about these allegations, we remember that we are in limbo.

And we remember that a woman in upstate New York feels like she has been wronged in a truly horrible way, and deserves justice if something did in fact happen to her.