If there was any doubt whether Blackhawks fans would welcome back RW Patrick Kane, who is under investigation for sexual assault, that doubt was erased when he took the ice Friday "for his first preseason scrimmage amid cheers from the crowd," according to Chris Hine of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Kane said that he was "grateful for the support." The only place Kane "wasn’t visible" during training camp on Friday was "at the merchandise stand, where no Kane sweaters or T-shirts were on display for sale" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/19). In Buffalo, noted there was a "clear ovation for Kane again when his name was announced for assisting on a goal during the first of two scrimmages he took part in." In the early afternoon, Kane "staged his second jam-packed news conference in two days." Standing "in front of a Blackhawks backdrop in an arena hallway, Kane did not address the sexual assault investigation." But he was "clearly more at ease with reporters when talking about hockey and his appreciation for Chicago fans" than he was Thursday. Kane said of his reception from fans, "That’s a pretty cool reaction, especially given the circumstances." Harrington noted fans were "clearly in support of Kane -- many wore jerseys sporting his No. 88" (BUFFALO NEWS, 9/19).
CHANGE ON THE FLY: ESPN CHICAGO's Jon Greenberg wrote of backlash from Thursday's widely criticized press conference, "I don’t think the Blackhawks are oblivious, I just think they’re used to directing the conversation. This isn’t the most open organization, and that comes from the top." This is a "very serious organization that is rarely challenged and puts an overwhelming amount of effort into controlling the message." But the Blackhawks under President & CEO John McDonough "are anything but tone-deaf." They are "obsessed with tone." But "rehearsed, scripted methods of dealing with the public don’t always work when people are actually paying attention to the words being uttered." The Blackhawks may even be able to use the Kane situation to "make a difference." The team "could help combat sexual assault before it begins by funding workshops, clinics and speeches" to middle school-aged children. They can "help talk to the kids about sexual assault when they’ll still listen." This "would be a good use of the team’s power" (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 9/18).
INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY? In N.Y., Larry Brooks wrote if Kane is guilty of sexual assault, then he "has no business wearing an NHL uniform until after he has served his sentence." But unless he is indicted by a grand jury, Kane has "every right to be considered a player in good standing." Brooks: "Innocent until proven guilty works for me" (N.Y. POST, 9/20). In Chicago, John Kass wrote all it takes to "ruin a reputation or a career" in this day and age is "an allegation." Kass: "We're not even at the charging stage" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/20). But in Chicago, Barry Rozner wrote under the header, "Celebrating Kane A Bad Look For Chicago Blackhawks." That Blackhawks fans are "so eager to support their hero" despite the allegations levied against him is "enough to make those without blind faith queasy." There also is the portion of the fan base that "has daughters and sisters, and mothers and wives." It is "not an easy watch for them right now, seeing a franchise so celebrated so stuck in a box, passively supporting Kane and showing no concern or compassion for his accuser." That is a "bad look for the Hawks -- and getting worse by the day" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 9/20).
COACH'S CORNER: In Chicago, Chris Kuc wrote Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville will "be the one to deal with the team's collective psyche in the aftermath of Kane's situation, no matter the end result." It will be Quenneville, not McDonough or GM & VP Stan Bowman, who will "address the team in the dressing room and attempt to rally the troops to be at their best when it matters most: during games" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/20).
