BlackHawks Patrick Kane Removed From Cover Of NHL 16

Electronic Arts has announced that due to ongoing police investigations, Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane will no longer be appearing on their upcoming game, NHL 16.

Part of the released statement states that, “In light of the ongoing investigation involving Patrick Kane, he will no longer be a spokesperson for the launch of EA Sports NHL 16. He will not appear on the EA Sports NHL 16 cover, nor participate in other … promotional activities.”

Now instead of Kane on the cover, his teammate Jonathan Toews has taken his place. The game is expected to be in stores on Sept. 15.

Prior to this, EA has never removed an athlete off of the cover of their games (although in 2003 they removed Dany Heatley with Joe Sakic after he got into a car crash that killed teammate Dan Synder.) They even kept Tiger Woods on their covers even after the then rumors of his infidelity came out, and everyone else removed his face from their games.

While he hasn’t yet been charged, Kane is currently under investigation by police at his Hamburg, New York residence. Kane, who currently has a $84 million contract as well as endorsements with major companies such as Bauer Hockey, McDonald’s, Gatorade, and Chevrolet, is risking the relationship with these companies with his actions.

Both McDonald’s and Performance Sports Group’s [owner of Bauer] spokespeople have weighed in on their positions.

Steve Jones of the PSG said that, “We are obviously aware of the current investigation announced by Hamburg Police on Friday – we continue to closely monitor the situation.”

Heidi Barker of McDonald’s said that her company is “aware of the matter involving Patrick Kane,” and “it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”