NHL Yet to Conclude Inquiry into Patrick Kane's Conduct

Hockey star Patrick Kane is having a career year on the ice for the Chicago Blackhawks — and the criminal investigation into rape allegations against him ended without charges — but the NHL has yet to finish its inquiry into Kane’s conduct.

Three months ago, the district attorney in Erie County, New York, announced there wasn’t a case to make against Kane. Prosecutors concluded the evidence did not support the claims made by a 21-year-old woman that Kane forced himself on her sexually in his bedroom last summer after an evening in a local bar. District Attorney Frank A. Sedita said the case was “rife with reasonable doubt.”

But the NHL says its investigation into Kane’s behavior is “ongoing,” reports the Chicago Tribune, even as Kane prepares to play in Sunday’s All-Star Game as a team captain.

As the criminal probe was unfolding last fall, team officials were reportedly furious with Kane, whom they saw as a legend in the making. There was even talk he could be traded, but all of that has subsided.

It’s possible Kane’s behavior that night, while not criminal, could still be found lacking in the eyes of the NHL given his past record of “bad-boy” behavior.

The season got off to a slow and rocky start for Kane and the Blackhawks — he was mocked by opposing team’s fans with chants of “she said no” and the team didn’t play particularly well. But Kane and the Blackhawks soon found their groove in a big way. In December, Kane broke Bobby Hull’s consecutive-game point record of 22, and went on to set a new franchise record of 26 games.

And now there’s talk of Kane, the NHL points leader, earning league MVP honors this season. Kane has said the support of his girlfriend, the fans and his ability to play hockey have kept his spirits up.

Until the NHL wraps its investigation into Kane’s conduct, however, the question of his conduct off the ice isn’t a closed matter.

The Patrick Kane Saga

• Rape Investigation of Patrick Kane Closed: ‘Rife with Reasonable Doubt’
• Patrick Kane: ‘My Family’s Been Awesome. My Girlfriend’s Been Great’
• Accuser No Longer Willing to Cooperate in Investigation
• Patrick Kane ‘Rape-Kit Evidence Bag’ a ‘Hoax’ by the Mom: Prosecutor
• Attorney for Patrick Kane’s Accuser Drops His Client
• Trading Kane: Will ‘Volcanically Outraged’ Blackhawks Management Send Patrick Kane Away?