SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Patrick Kane Jersey felt like a hockey player again the past few days.
While Kane remains under investigation for an alleged sexual assault in Hamburg, New York, he said attending the Chicago Blackhawks’ training camp allowed him to concentrate on something other than his off-ice situation.
“It’s nice to be around my teammates and playing hockey,” Kane said after the Blackhawks wrapped up camp at Notre Dame on Sunday. “When I’m on the ice, just trying to focus on that. It definitely takes your mind off things.”
Kane and the Blackhawks didn’t decide until late last week whether Kane would attend training camp because of the investigation. Blackhawks president and CEO John McDonough said Thursday Kane was invited to camp after discussions with his legal team.
Kane has no regrets attending camp. The experience was all positive for him.
“It was a great weekend,” Kane said. “I had a blast with my teammates, fun seeing the guys, fun hanging out with them. It was really good for me to be here, hanging out with my teammates, enjoying everything, being on the ice. It was a good weekend.”
Kane received a warm welcome from Blackhawks fans when training camp opened on Friday and was shown continued support throughout the three-day camp. He also said he didn’t feel uneasy being out in public at Notre Dame's football game on Saturday. He has been secluded to his home mostly since the investigation began in early August.
“I think when you’re there with the organization, all your teammates, it doesn’t even cross your mind of being outside in the public,” Kane said. “It seemed like the support was good here all weekend. I thought it was great watching the game, fun being in such a historic venue, watching the players warm up, watching the game and just enjoying everything that came with it. It was a fun day.”
Kane was asked Sunday if he knew when his off-ice situation might be resolved. Although a Blackhawks spokesperson threatened to end the interview session unless questions were kept to hockey, Kane provided a response.
“I don’t know anything about that,” Kane said. “I don’t think it’s ... That would all be speculation, so...”
On the ice, Kane feels like his game has progressed in the three days. He came into camp rusty as he couldn’t remember the last time he skated prior to Friday. He participated in four scrimmages over the three days.
“I think I’ve gotten better this weekend, but I still want to keep improving,” Kane said. “I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m happy where I am right now, but I feel like I’m confident and improving every day and trying to get to where I need to be by Oct. 7.”
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville also thinks Kane is headed in the right direction. brent seabrook jersey.
“He's a special player that I don't think it'll take him too long,” Quenneville said. “I think that his friendliness with the puck is probably not as good as we've seen it. But I saw some growth in that every day he was on the ice.”
Kane skated on a line with Bryan Bickell and Artem Anisimov for much of the camp. Kane is hopeful he and Anisimov can find chemistry and production similar to what Kane and Brad Richards had last season.
“He’s a special player,” Kane said of Anisimov said. “He’s big. He has a long reach, has long strides that get him up the ice pretty quickly, can make good passes and good puck possession too.
“You know I’m excited about the opportunity playing with Arty. Hopefully we can develop some chemistry. I’m sure we will. I think we’re both smart enough hockey players where we can realize how each other plays and hopefully it’ll develop into something good for a long time.”
No comments:
Post a Comment