Patrick Kane: ‘I am confident I will be absolved’

SOUTH BEND, Ind. —  Patrick Kane reported to Blackhawks training camp Thursday and spoke publicly for the first time since his involvement in an alleged sexual assault, saying: “I am confident once all facts come to light I will be absolved.’’

“I cannot apologize enough for the stress this has caused my family, my team,” Kane said at the team’s press conference at the University of Notre Dame. “It’s good to be back here again, and to see all my teammates.”

Earlier Blackhawks President John McDonough confirmed that Kane will participate in the team’s training camp.

“We recognized that Patrick Kane is dealing with a very serious situation,” McDonough said at Thursday’s news conference.

Kane had not spoken publicly since police in Hamburg, N.Y. began investigating him for an alleged sexual assault.

Coach Joel Quenneville and general manager Stan Bowman also talked to reporters.

Practices at the preseason training camp are open to the public, meaning Kane would inevitably face questions from news reporters if he attends. Kane, 26, has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

The Tribune reported that attorneys for Kane and his accuser are seeking a resolution that would end a criminal investigation into Kane. Meanwhile, prosecutors in western New York are preparing to send the case to a grand jury later this month.

Meanwhile, the co-founder of the women’s advocacy group UltraViolet urged the Blackhawks to not allow Kane to participate in camp activities until the case is resolved.

“Unless and until his name is cleared in this ongoing rape investigation, Kane shouldn’t have the privilege of playing professional hockey,” Shaunna Thomas said in a statement. “Women are watching, and we won’t allow the NHL or the Blackhawks to sweep a survivor under the rug for the sake of their bottom lines.”