![03 March 2016: Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) [6040] checks out his opponent prior to a face off. The Boston Bruins defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 in a regular season NHL game at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photograph by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)](http://frsports-bucket-0001.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/03/09134400/482160228097_Blackhawks_at_Bruins.jpg)
Though there were no criminal charges against Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane earlier this season, which would have stemmed from a criminal investigation into allegations of sexual assault at the top line winger’s home near Buffalo, New York, the NHL has been conducting a secondary investigation into the situation throughout the season.
Now, the league has issued a formal statement regarding the situation, announcing the conclusion of the secondary investigation:
“The National Hockey League announced today that it has completed its independent review of the Patrick Kane matter, the final stage of which included an in-person meeting between Kane and Commissioner Gary Bettman in New York on Monday, March 7. Based on its review, including the determination made by the Erie County District Attorney not to pursue charges, the NHL has concluded that the allegations made against Kane were unfounded. The League considers the matter closed and will have no further comment.”
While there was a formal police investigation into the allegations, the NHL made the choice to open their own investigation into the matter separate from the one being conducted by the police force in New York. This isn’t uncommon among sports leagues, as the MLB recently had a secondary investigation of New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman result in a suspension for domestic violence allegations despite a lack of criminal charges. Unlike the Kane situation, though, Chapman did admit to part of the allegations brought against him.
Kane has continued to play during both investigations, recording 38 goals and 89 points in 67 regular season games with Chicago.
As with the criminal investigation, the conclusion of the NHL’s investigation is just a determination that the evidence available led to reasonable belief that the allegations made against the forward were, in the league’s words, unfounded. As a result, Kane will not receive a suspension from the NHL.
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