Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane won’t face rape charges

The Blackhawks play the New Jersey Devils on Friday (7 p.m. ET; CSN-CH, MSG+). Kane said repeatedly throughout the investigation that he had done nothing wrong, and that was repeated in his statement on Thursday.

Kane said he might talk about what he has learned over the last three months. The fans treat it like business as usual and I commend the coaches in keeping things as normal as possible. “But, you know, as far as everything goes, I’m happy I’m playing hockey, I’m happy to be here tonight”.

“The very hard part of this is when you are basically an worldwide sports star, and as a result, a likely target”, Kane’s attorney, Paul Cambria, said Thursday.

The decision ends a high-profile investigation that led to Kane’s removal from the cover of a popular National Hockey League video game, and chants of “She said no!” and “No means no!” during a couple of early road games for the Blackhawks.

“When I am on the ice I am not thinking about it too much”, said the 26-year-old who has won three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks.

“Like I said before, it’s one of those things where it’s kind of been my little getaway to play hockey and enjoy being at the rink”. “I am looking forward to keep getting a chance to do that”.

After numerous games where the Blackhawks struggled to score, they have broken out over the past three games, combining for 13 goals over this span. However, they have also given up 13 goals combined. I appreciate all that support. With the team facing heavy criticism for allowing him to play during the investigation, the star winger was joined by top Blackhawks executives for an awkward news conference where he said he would be absolved of any wrongdoing and brushed aside any questions that touched on the situation.

“We’re just happy for him that it’s official now, that weight he’s probably been carrying around for a long time now is off his shoulders”, Jonathan Toews said.

Kane’s teammates said Kane, in the room and on the ice, kept the focus on hockey. “I have respected the legal process and I am glad that this matter has now been closed and I will have nothing further to say going forward”.