NHL Watching and Waiting on Patrick Kane Rape Probe

NHL officials and the Chicago Blackhawks have been watching and waiting as the Erie County district attorney and New York police investigate one of the league’s best young hockey stars, Patrick Kane, for rape.

Will Patrick Kane show up when the Chicago Blackhawks training camp opens next week at Notre Dame?

Not even his agent, Pat Brisson, knows.

Brisson spoke with ESPN Wednesday and says he knows the 26-year-old superstar’s character.

“He’s always been honest with me. I’ve known him for a long time. I’ve been doing this a long time as a sports agent. You get to know people and get to know the character of an individual. Spending more time with Patrick over this situation, I do believe he is innocent,” Brisson told ESPN.

Grand jury testimony was to begin on Tuesday, but it’s been postponed. Sources tell The Buffalo News that settlement talks between Kane and his accuser are the reason for the delay. The district attorney, Frank A. Sedita III, told the Associated Press that Kane’s schedule and the onset of training camp have no bearing on the investigation.

“It’s difficult to imagine how any sport’s team’s training camp schedule would ever have any effect upon a prosecutor’s decision-making process,” Sedita said Wednesday.

Brisson said the criminal investigation is weighing on Kane.

“Basically when you spend more time in your house than outside and you can’t really go to the rink like you have your normal life. It’s been difficult. It’s been hard. At the same time, I know he’s looking forward to this being over with,” Brisson said.

The NHL has no insight into the legal situation or Kane’s future. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told the Associated Press he hasn’t spoken with Kane, a four-time NHL all-star and a three-time champion with the Blackhawks since entering the league in 2007.

Even if he’s never charged and the investigation ends, Kane could face sanctions from the league for his behavior.

“It’s a terrible thing,” Bettman said. “But we’re going to have to watch the process play out and at the appropriate time, we’ll make whatever decisions have to be made.”

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