Typically a summer away from the National Hockey League is a time for players to relax and put a grueling season behind them. But that wasn’t the case for Chicago Blackhawks right winger Patrick Kane. Fresh off of helping the Blackhawks win their third Stanley Cup Championship since 2010, Kane appeared to be riding high as he was prepared to be the cover boy for Electronic Arts Sports latest version of their NHL video game (NHL 16). But everything came to a screeching halt for Kane last August when a woman accused the NHL star of raping her at his Buffalo mansion.
The case would be investigated by authorities in Erie County, New York which would put a dark cloud over Kane’s career. EA Sports removed Kane from the cover of their game, while the Blackhawks didn’t know if they were going to have the services of their star forward. In the end, Erie County authorities didn’t find enough substantial evidence to charge Kane which marked the end of the three-month investigation. But regardless of what happened in Buffalo last summer, Kane took a beating in the court of public opinion.
When Kane faced the media at the start of Blackhawks training camp, there were minimal hockey related questions as mostly everything revolved around his personal life. And at road arenas, Kane has arguably been heckled more than any other player in the National Hockey League this season. But Kane has received support from the Blackhawks organization when he returned to the team and it didn’t take him that long to return the favor to them.
Ever since the puck dropped to begin the 2015-2016 National Hockey League season, Kane has been playing like a man possessed. And whereas Kane was quiet over the summer as the legal process took place, he has now let his hockey stick and skates do the talking.
This season Kane leads the National Hockey League in goals (30), assists (42), and points (72) while making it look easy in the process. Earlier this season Kane had a 26-game point streak and his scoring ability is a big reason why the Blackhawks currently have the best record in the Western Conference as they’re once again in contention to win the Stanley Cup.
There are some folks that have put Kane’s alleged incident from last summer behind them as he was voted by the fans to appear in his eighth National Hockey League All-Star Game later this month which shows that they are some people out there that never gave up on him.
Kane is back to doing what he excels at and loves which is to play hockey. And at times when you’re going through personal struggles, doing something that you truly enjoy can provide you with the solace that you need.
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