Chicago Blackhawks player subject of rape investigation in NY

Police in upstate New York are investigating rape allegations against Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane.

The NHL on Thursday morning confirmed that the league is aware of accusations stemming from an incident involving the 26-year-old Kane, who has an offseason home in Hamburg, N.Y., just south of Buffalo.

The Buffalo News reported that no charges in the case had been filed as of Thursday morning and it was unclear whether Kane had been questioned by authorities.

According to WKBW, the alleged incident involving Kane and a woman began at a bar.

Police officials would not discuss details of the case with the media.

"We can neither confirm nor deny the existence or nonexistence of a criminal investigation until such a time as a person is charged with a crime," Hamburg Police Chief Gregory G. Wickett said, according to the News.

Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III said, "We neither confirm nor deny the existence or nonexistence of an investigation until such time as someone has been charged with a crime."

The Blackhawks also did not immediately offer comment. Kane's attorney, Paul J. Cambria Jr., told the News that he had nothing to say about the situation.

Kane is a four-time NHL All-Star who helped lead the Blackhawks in June to their third Stanley Cup title in the past six seasons.

In 2009, Kane was involved with an altercation with a Buffalo cab driver and accused of assaulting him. He and a cousin pleaded to disorderly conduct.