Video game developer EA Sports announced on Wednesday that due to the ongoing investigation of Patrick Kane, the Chicago Blackhawks forward will no longer appear on the cover of their NHL 16 game to be released next month.
 
"In light of the ongoing investigation surrounding Patrick Kane, he will no longer be a spokesperson for EA Sports NHL 16," the Burnaby, British Columbia-based company said in a release. "He will not appear on the EA Sports NHL 16 cover, nor participate in other EA Sports NHL 16 promotional activities."
 
Kane was set to appear on the game's cover with captain Jonathan Toews holding up the Stanley Cup. A new cover photo on the EA Sports Twitter account features Toews hoisting the trophy by himself.

Jonathan Toews on NHL 16
Toews is now featured on the NHL 16 cover alone.

 

Hamburg police confirmed the investigation last week, saying it involved an incident that may have happened at Kane's home outside Buffalo on Aug. 2. "The Town of Hamburg police department is investigating an incident that allegedly occurred at the residence of NHL player Patrick Kane last weekend," Chief Gregory Wickett read from a brief statement outside police headquarters last Friday. "At this time, we are gathering information and awaiting forensic testing results.

"We will have no further comment on this investigation at this time."

The Buffalo News reported on Aug. 6 that Kane is the subject of a sexual assault investigation.
 
No charges have been laid in connection with the alleged investigation.
 
NHL 16 will be released on September 15. Kane was also on the cover of the game in 2009.

- With files from The Associated Press