Patrick Kane confident he 'will be absolved,' to attend camp

Patrick Kane spoke to the media Thursday for the first time since he was accused of sexual assault in early August.

Kane, who confirmed he will attend Chicago Blackhawks training camp, was brief while declining to answer questions pertaining to the investigation. But he did offer this statement:

This has been an incredibly difficult time for many people. I cannot apologize enough for the distraction caused to my family, teammates, this incredible organization, and of course our fans. While I have too much respect for legal process to comment on a legal matter, I am confident that once all the facts come to light, I will be absolved of having done nothing wrong.

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said the ongoing investigation is not affecting the players.

"Anything else that's being talked about away from the rink is a non-factor for us," he said.

Toews declined to reveal if Kane apologized to his teammates.

"Of course to a certain degree nobody wanted this, but we don't want to get into these details right now," he said.

Blackhawks president and CEO John McDonough told the media gathered at Notre Dame's campus that the organization decided to have Kane attend camp based on discussions with the player's legal team.

"We recognize that Patrick Kane is dealing with a very serious situation. Based on our discussions with his legal representatives, who are very close to this matter, we have decided to have Patrick join us for training camp. Furthermore, we have the utmost respect for the legal process."

McDonough said a report from earlier this month, quoting a source characterizing him as "volcanically outraged" upon hearing about the Kane investigation, was exaggerated.

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told TVA's Renaud Lavoie that the league stands by the team's decision to allow Kane to attend camp.

Kane has not been charged. A grand jury investigation into the case was postponed but is reportedly set to resume next week.