Blackhawk Patrick Kane Loses Spot On Cover Of 'NHL 16' Video Game

By Emma G. Gallegos in News on Aug 12, 2015 8:44PM

Originally Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews were supposed to grace the cover

It wasn't so long ago that putting Patrick Kane on the cover of 'NHL 16' and making him a spokesman for the video game seemed like a no-brainer. But that was before a woman accused the Blackhawks star of raping her at his home outside Buffalo.

Roughly a week since reports came out about the accusations against Kane, police are still investigating, but he has not been charged with any wrongdoing. The absence of criminal charges or proof of wrongdoing has prompted some fans to defend Kane, while others have argued that the disturbing but complicated nature of many rape cases means that Kane may not be a fit role model for hockey fans regardless.

And now EA Sports is backing away from all things Kane. The original cover for 'NHL' showed Kane and his teammate Toews hoisting the Stanley Cup over their head on the ice. They've now created a new cover showing Toews by himself:

They've also released a statement saying that Kane is no longer a spokesman for the game, nor will he appear in any promotions:

As the Sun-Times notes, this isn't the first time that EA Sports has had to change a cover. In 2004, the company changed its cover twice when Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley had legal problems. Kane also appeared on the cover of 'NHL 10.'

Related:
Accuser: Blackhawks' Patrick Kane Overpowered And Raped Her, Leaving Bite And Scratch Marks
How To Be A Blackhawks Fan When Your Star Player Is Accused Of Rape