Police Confirm Investigation of Alleged Incident at Patrick Kane's Home

Police in upstate New York confirmed Friday they are investigating an incident that allegedly occurred at the home of Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane.

"The Town of Hamburg Police Department is investigating an incident that allegedly occurred at the residence of NHL player Patrick Kane last weekend," Chief Gregory Wickett said during a news conference. "At this time we are gathering information and awaiting forensic testing results."

The statement comes after reports by the Buffalo News and NBC station WGRZ indicated Kane was under investigation for an allegation of rape. Both media outlets quoted unnamed law enforcement sources. NBC Chicago could not independently confirm the details in the report.

A source close to Blackhawks team owner Rocky Wirtz told NBC 5’s Peggy Kusinski the team ownership group feels “anger, disappointment, sadness and hope.” There are a lot of mixed emotions in the Blackhawks’ front office, according to the source.

The Buffalo News reported the 26-year-old forward is being investigated in Hamburg, where he lives during the offseason. 

"We are aware of the matter and are in the process of gathering information," the Chicago Blackhawks said in a statement. "It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

Frank Brown, a spokesperson for the NHL, said in a statement that the league is "aware and following developments."

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office said it had no comment on the matter.

The Hamburg Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Paul Cambria Jr., an attorney who has represented Kane in the past, said he is representing Kane but declined to comment on the investigation. 

A search on Twitter shows alleged sightings of Patrick Kane, in and around the Hamburg and Buffalo area, throughout last weekend.

One man posted a photo last Saturday with a caption: “Nice round of golf with @88PKane.”

Then, just after midnight that evening a series of tweets appear to place Kane at the SkyBar, an open-air rooftop bar in Buffalo.

At 1:05 a.m.: “Pat Kane sighting at sky bar.”

Twenty-two minutes later, another person tweets that her friend is “mad [that] pat kane is giving me those eyes.”

Then at 2:15 a.m., yet another person tweets: “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.”

NBC 5 also found a series of tweets from Sunday night in which three women each allegedly spotted Kane at an Anderson’s Frozen Custard shop in the Buffalo area. One said she blew him a kiss.

Kane in 2009 pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges to avoid jail time after he and his cousin were accused of beating up a cab driver over a fare.

He was also spotlighted in May 2012 following Cinco de Mayo celebrations after photos of him partying at the University of Wisconsin in Madison went viral.

Stan Bowman, general manager at the time, called those reported acts from Kane “disappointing” and said they “handled it internally.”

Kane jokingly acknowledged the past acts during Stanley Cup celebrations in Chicago earlier this summer.

“I know you said I’ve been growing up, but watch out for me the next week,” he said at the Hawks championship rally in Soldier Field. 

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