UPDATE: Patrick Kane merchandise will be coming to Blackhawks training camp to be sold, reports Brian Sandalow of the Chicago Sun-Times.
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A line of fans started to gather about 5 a.m., which wrapped around Compton Family Ice Arena on Friday morning at Notre Dame, waiting to grab a seat for the opening day’s scrimmages of Chicago Blackhawks training camp.
Several fans donned Patrick Kane sweaters and shirseys, showing support for the star forward, who is the subject on an ongoing police investigation for an alleged sexual assault at his home Aug. 2 in Hamburg, N.Y.
Inside the arena, the Hawks merchandise stand did not have Kane merchandise for sale, according to reports. Only merchandise for Hawks captain Jonathan Toews and forward Marian Hossa were for sale. Not even 2015 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Duncan Keith was represented.
I don’t see any Patrick Kane stuff at the merchandise stand at Notre Dame. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/Jhphu35k38
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) September 18, 2015
Kane was greeted with a jubilant cheer as he skated onto the ice for warmups.
Patrick Kane hits the ice. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/3Qss19Frca
— Brian Sandalow (@BrianSandalow) September 18, 2015
Kane made his first public appearance and statement about the investigation Thursday.
“While I have too much respect for the legal process to comment on an ongoing matter, I am confident that once all the facts are brought to light, I will be absolved of having done nothing wrong,” Kane read from a piece of paper.