EA Sports remove Blackhawks star Patrick Kane from game cover after rape allegations
Electronic Arts, the maker of the games for EA Sports, have announced that they are dropping Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane from the cover of their upcoming NHL game in 2016.
Kane was supposed to be featured on the cover along with teammate Jonathan Toews but the former is involved in an investigation in New York possibly of a rape case. Kane has not been officially charged of any crime and the police did not disclose the nature of the case.
"In light of the ongoing investigation involving Patrick Kane, he will no longer be a spokesperson for the launch of EA Sports NHL 16," EA Sports announced in an official statement. "He will not appear on the EA Sports NHL 16 cover, nor participate in other promotional activities."
The video game called, NHL 16, was set for release on Sept. 15 and is expected to follow the original schedule despite the change in the cover.
The NHL and the Blackhawks franchise have released no official statement with the investigation still going on. The 26-year-old Kane, who was the first overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft, has been with the Blackhawks the last eight seasons.
He is in one of the best scorers in the league last year finishing with 64 points (27 goals and 37 assists) in 61 regular season games plus 23 points (11 goals and 12 assists) in the 23 postseason games. The Blackhawks won the 2015 Stanley Cup title winning over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the championship series.
Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au or let us know what you think below.