Rocky Wirtz and Blackhawks Feel 'Anger, Disappointment, Sadness' as Criminal Investigation of Patrick Kane Confirmed

Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane, 26, has not been charged with any crime, but Friday morning the Hamburg, NY, police chief confirmed he’s the focus of a rape investigation.

And sources close to Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz told NBC Chicago that team ownership feels “anger, disappointment, sadness and hope.”

Less than a month ago, Wirtz was comfortable mentioning Kane’s name in the same breath as hockey legends Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull, and he told the Chicago Tribune editorial board he could see a Patrick Kane statue outside the United Center someday, along with one for Jonathan Toews. The duo signed big-dollar contract extensions with the team this summer.

“I think that they’re quality individuals. They’re never satisfied. They’re great leaders, and I think they’re terrific for the city, “ Wirtz said. “As the eight-year contracts go on, I think we’ll see they’re worth every penny.”

An image of Kane and Toews hoisting the Stanley Cup is to appear on the cover of the NHL16 video game to be released on Sept. 16 by EASports. Don’t be surprised if that cover changes, however.

Now, the talk is no longer about a Blackhawks championship dynasty or video-game glory, but of rape.

A young woman told police she was raped at Kane’s lakefront mansion in his hometown of Hamburg, near Buffalo, sometime late Saturday or early Sunday morning, police sources have told The Buffalo News. The accuser subsequently went to a hospital where a rape kit and examination took place and evidence was gathered.

On Sunday, plainclothes detectives descended on Kane’s house, searched the property for evidence and took photographs. Neighbors reported seeing the police there for several hours.

On Thursday, when news broke of the investigation, the police chief declined to confirm the investigation and ordered police not to speak publicly. Friday morning, the chief addressed the news media briefly.

“The Town of Hamburg Police Department is investigating an incident that allegedly occurred at the residence of NHL player Patrick Kane last weekend. At this time, we are gathering information and awaiting forensic results. We will have no further comment on this investigation at this time,” Chief Gregory Wickett said.

Reporters have been camped outside the police station waiting to catch a glimpse of Kane and his lawyer coming in for questioning. Kane’s white SUV has been spotted at his parents’ home in South Buffalo, reports ABC Chicago.

Sources told the Buffalo News that Kane met his accuser in a bar. Several tweets by locals who encountered Kane on Saturday night suggest he was out drinking at Buffalo-area bars and clubs, places he’s known to frequent often.

“Pat Kane sighting at sky bar,” reads one posted at 1:05 a.m.

“Pat kane is giving me those eyes,” reads another at 1:27 a.m.

“Pat Kane is [s—t]-bombed at the bar. Told me he was too bombed for a pic, so of course I snap chatted a pic of him anyway,” reads a third at 2:15 a.m.

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Team ownership has been dismayed at the immature and criminal behavior of its young superstar in the past. Kane has been a critical player in the winning of three Stanley Cup championships in six years.

Along the way, he’s been photographed stinking drunk in public in 2009 and 2012 and arrested for an altercation with a 62-year-old cab driver in Buffalo over a 20-cent discrepancy in change for cab fare in 2009.

Kane has acknowledged that he has “growing up to do.” Many fans are as dismayed as Wirtz is at the latest, most serious episode involving their star. They remain hopeful, too.