Was Patrick Kane Set-Up or Did He Really Do the Unthinkable?

COMMENTARY | In early August, Patrick Kane of the 2015 Stanley Cup winning Chicago Blackhawks was out on the town enjoying his fame and fortune. He met two women who were interested in knowing him better so they took the party back to his home in Hamburg, NY. Then the stories get a little murky.

One of the women who willingly accompanied Kane to his home in the early morning hours of August 2, 2015 and went into a bedroom with him has made allegations that she was raped by the NHL superstar. There are no reports that her friend, who was present in the home at the time of the alleged rape, tried to help her friend or was even aware that the incident was occurring.

Being a woman, especially a woman who has experienced the terror of an assault, my heart went out to this victim and Kane was pure scum until more and more details began leaking out. Most rape victims are too stunned and horrified by what just happened to them that they either try to conceal it by going home and thoroughly washing themselves because they feel so dirty or they call the police to make a report. This woman did neither of these things. Instead, she goes straight to the emergency room and requests a rape kit be conducted and then the emergency room staff made the call to the police.

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There have been few details released in the case. Kane and his family have kept a low profile during this time, including a quiet celebration with the Stanley Cup at his home in Hamburg, NY instead of a large-scale, city-wide celebration. Kane’s lawyers are no doubt guiding his every move at this point even though no charges have officially been filed.

A date for the case to go before the Grand Jury was set. Evidence was gathered, witnesses subpoenaed and the lawyers were ready to battle it out in front of the Grand Jury. Then the big event was delayed because of settlement talks going on between the two parties. That left me scratching my head. A woman is raped and she is willing to take a settlement? That does not sound like a typical rape victim. A rape victim would want justice done and the perpetrator to be given a punishment that suits the crime.

The fact that both sides are willing to sit down and talk settlement makes me really question the validity of this allegation against Kane. Of course Kane would be willing to settle just to sweep this thing aside and get on with the new season. But the victim being willing to accept a cash settlement for an alleged rape just does not sit right. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that similar to prostitution? Accepting money in return for sexual favors is classified as prostitution.

Maybe that seems a little harsh to some, but the facts that have been leaked do not add up to a rape. It sounds like a gold-digger spotted Kane out on the town and saw an opportunity. She willingly went to his home and into his bedroom, her friend did not try to stop the incident, she went immediately to the hospital asking for a rape kit and now she is willing to settle for money. Yes, the victim claims that Kane bit her during the encounter, but let’s get real, a hyped up playboy millionaire gets a woman into bed. He likes it rough. How many of us have had a partner get a little out of hand and leave a scratch or a bite mark? That does not mean that the sex was not consensual.

The NHL feels that it is justified in pushing Kane aside and not allowing him on the press tour, sponsors feel just as justified in pulling Kane from their promotional items. But the fact still remains that Kane has still not been charged with a crime. Am I saying that the NHL should not hold its players to a higher standard? No, I am not saying that. I am simply saying that if the crime did happen and the player is charged and found guilty, like in Slava Voynov’s case, then of course action should be taken. If it turns out that charges are brought against Kane and he is found guilty, then yes, action by the NHL needs to be swift and harsh.

As of right now, the NHL and the Blackhawks are not justified in handing down any punishment to Kane. A woman made an accusation, seemingly for money or to hook a rich man, and now everyone is in an uproar demanding Kane be punished. Think about it Kane-haters, why would a woman go to a man’s house at 2:00 a.m. if not to enjoy some adult company and get to know him better? I am not a Kane fan myself, but everything about this case just seems weird and it does not add up to a traumatized woman who suffered a vicious assault.