Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane may not face criminal charges in the sexual assault case that saw the forward accused of rape over the summer. According to the Buffalo News, sources report that Kane likely will not be facing charges stemming from the case and it could be "dismissed" soon.
The news came out about Kane and the alleged assault in August and after some updates in September and early October, there has not been much news on the case. Things took an odd turn when the lawyer for the woman alleging the assault quit, which stemmed from an issue regarding the rape kit (which ended up being a hoax). The Buffalo News reported over the weekend that sources said that "they do not believe the case will be presented to a grand jury" and that it could be "administratively dismissed."
According to Yahoo Sports, "Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III postponed scheduled grand jury proceedings back on Sept. 8," but he has not confirmed that decision. Kane first came under investigation in early August when he was accused of raping a woman at his Buffalo-area home after meeting her at a bar. Kane has been playing through the investigation and he has been off to a solid start this season, recording 14 points with six goals and eight assists his first 11 games.
Kane declined on getting into any detail about the recent reports, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Kane said he has been looking to " just kind of leaving it to the facts" of the case "instead of going off sources and different reports." Kane has had off the ice issues in the past, but this is the most serious allegation that he has been accused of. The reports about the case being dismissed have not been confirmed and once that is official, the Blackhawks and the NHL may make statements about the situation with Kane.
The Blackhawks have also sent down Bryan Bickell to the AHL, according to Yahoo Sports. Bickell has been struggling this season and he heads down after signing a four-year, $13 million deal a couple years ago. The team has called up Marko Dano as the corresponding move for Bickell. Bickell has been scrated four different times this season and he has not recorded a point for the Blackhawks in seven games played. The team is hoping he can get things going in the minors and that will give him a jolt this season.
The Blackhawks won against the LA Kings on Monday night and the team now is 7-5-0 this season with 14 points and they are sixth in the central division standings.
