Reports: Blackhawks star Patrick Kane subject of police investigation

Chicago Blackhawks star forward Patrick Kane is reportedly under investigation in the Buffalo-area suburb of Hamburg, N.Y.

The Buffalo News, which first reported the story, did not say the nature of the investigation. WKBW television in Buffalo said the incident involved a woman and began at a bar in Evans, N.Y.

When reached by Puck Daddy, Hamburg Police Chief Gregory G. Wickett would “neither confirm nor deny” an investigation involving Kane.

Tim Graham of The Buffalo News posted on Twitter that it was a “rape investigation” in regards to Kane.

In its story, The Buffalo News reported that there are currently no charges.

"We are aware of the matter and are in the process of gathering information. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time," the Blackhawks said in a statement.

The NHL did not immediately respond to Puck Daddy when emailed for comment about Kane, who is from the Buffalo area.

[Yahoo Sports Fantasy Football: Sign up and join a league today!]

The 26-year-old Kane is supposed to have his day with the Stanley Cup this weekend. Kane had 23 points in 23 games last season in Chicago’s run to the Cup.

As reported by The Buffalo News:

The News went to Kane’s Hamburg home Wednesday morning to seek his comment but was denied access by a man at the house who did not identify himself.

A reporter asked the same man working at the home if he could leave a card to speak with Kane but was denied and told to leave the property.

Paul J. Cambria Jr., a lawyer who has represented Kane in the past, would neither confirm nor deny any aspect of the situation. “I have nothing to say,” Cambria told a News reporter.

In August 2009, Kane was arrested for assaulting a Buffalo cab driver after a dispute over a taxi fare.

One of the top players in the NHL, Kane signed an eight-year, $84 million contract extension last summer. It is set to start next season.

Since being drafted first overall by Chicago in 2007, the 26-year-old Kane has helped lead the team to three Stanley Cups. In the 2013 playoffs, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the postseason’s most valuable player. He has 557 points in 576 career games.

Puck Daddy will have more information as this story develops.

UPDATE: According to an updated story in The Buffalo News, a local woman has accused Kane of a sexual assault.

The law enforcement sources said that the woman went to a hospital and that tests using a rape kit were performed.

Kane, 26, has a home in Hamburg. He has not been charged with any crime.

Per the story, the alleged incident happened last weekend.

- - - - - - -

Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper

MORE FROM YAHOO SPORTS