First EA Sports, and now the London Knights.
Highly regarded hockey institutions are taking a step back from endorsing Chicago Blackhawks superstar Patrick Kane this summer, as the three-time Stanley Cup champion is under police investigation in Hamburg, N.Y.
According to a report in Tuesday’s London Free Press, the Knights had planned to divide its 80 training camp invitees into four teams named after the Ontario Hockey League club’s esteemed graduates: Corey Perry (white), Rick Nash (black), David Bolland (green) and Kane (gold).
The gold team will instead represent another, yet-to-be-named Knights alumnus.
“We’re going to change the name and there will not be a Team Kane at training camp,” Knights general manager Basil McRae told the Free Press.
Suiting up for London in 2006-07, the Buffalo-born Kane led all OHL scorers with 62 goals and 145 points in 58 games. The following spring he was drafted No. 1 overall by Chicago.
Although Kane, 26, has yet to be charged with a crime, EA Sports dropped him as a cover boy for its upcoming NHL 16 video game two weeks ago.
According to a Buffalo News report Monday, police investigators have met with Kane and his attorney, Paul Cambria.