Chicago Blackhawks Rumors: Patrick Kane Lawyers Up Amid Rape Investigation, Future With Team Uncertain

The Chicago Blackhawks are rumored to be in limbo over Patrick Kane, who has now hired an attorney and canceled his planned Stanley Cup celebration amid a rape investigation in Buffalo.

Kane is under police investigation for an incident that may have happened at his home last weekend. Police have not given any details of the alleged crime, but sources say it started at a bar in the Buffalo area.

This week, Kane hired Paul Cambria, a noted defense attorney in the Buffalo area. Cambria also represented Kane in 2009, when the Chicago Blackhawks star was accused of punching a cab driver over 20 cents. Kane ultimatley pleaded guilty to a non-criminal charge of disorderly conduct.

But Kane’s future with the team appears to be in limbo. Kane canceled several planned appearances this weekend, which is his day to show off the Stanley Cup.

The Associated Press explained Kane’s cancellation.

“In the meantime, Blackhawks spokesman Brandon Faber said Kane will skip the Stanley Cup celebration over Chicago’s third title in six years. Kane had paraded the trophy around Buffalo the previous two times he hosted it. Now, with the investigation in place, that has changed.

“Tentative plans had called for Kane to bring the Cup to Buffalo Women’s and Children’s Hospital for what was supposed to be a private visit. There also was to have been a celebration at a downtown bar.”

So far the Chicago Blackhawks have remained tight-lipped over the rape allegations, not commenting on Kane or his place with the team. But there are growing voices calling for the team to suspend him during the investigation. They point to Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov, who was arrested in October of 2014 on domestic violence charges and suspended by the NHL.

Voynov is still suspended by the league, a path many believe the NHL will take with Patrick Kane should he eventually be charged in the investigation.

The Chicago Tribune reported that the process could drag out for quite some time.

“Hamburg Police Chief Gregory Wickett confirmed the investigation for the first time in a brief public statement, but he did not offer any more details or take any questions from the media. He told one reporter that he was ‘wasting’ his time by staying in the Buffalo area over the weekend, suggesting that the case will not be resolved any time soon.”

Should the case drag on, the Chicago Blackhawks may decide to take action on Patrick Kane sooner.

[Photo by Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images]