Patrick Kane Removed From NHL 16 Cover During Sexual Assault Investigations

Patrick Kane has been removed from the cover of NHL 16 as the Chicago Blackhawks' forward is being investigated by police for possible rape charges.

EA Sports announced that Patrick Kane will no longer be the cover athlete of NHL 16 or be involved in any of the advertising or publicity events for the game. This announcement arises from an ongoing investigation by the Hamburg, NY police department after a young woman claims she was attacked and raped at Kane's lakefront home. Kane was originally supposed to be on the cover of NHL 16 holding the Stanley Cup alongside teammate Jonathan Toews. Both men have been on separate NHL covers in the past, but Toews and Kane were originally included on this year's cover in order to celebrate the Blackhawks winning their third Stanley Cup over the past six years.

Here's what EA Sports had to say about this recent controversy:

In light of the ongoing investigation involving Patrick Kane, he will no longer be a spokesperson for the launch of EA Sports NHL 16.

He will not appear on the EA Sports NHL 16 cover nor participate in other EA Sports NHL 16 promotional activities.

Kane is being accused of attacking and raping a young woman this past weekend at his lakefront home in Hamburg, NY. Eyewitnesses claim that Kane was seen at Buffalo, NY's popular SkyBar nightclub last Saturday with the victim and a friend. Kane invited the victim and her friend to his home, where the attack supposedly took place after he and the woman stepped into a separate room. Police are currently waiting for forensic evidence test results to arrive in order to proceed with the case. All of Kane's public appearances have been cancelled.

NHL 16 will launch next month for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and a legacy version of the game is expected to launch on PlayStation 3 and Xbox One.

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