NHL closes internal Patrick Kane investigation

NEW YORK (WLS) -- The National Hockey League announced Wednesday it has closed an independent internal investigation of the rape allegations against Blackhawks star Patrick Kane.

In a statement, the NHL said based on its review, which took into account the decision by the Erie County District Attorney not to pursue criminal charges, "the NHL has concluded that the allegations made against Kane were unfounded." The statement says the league now considers the matter closed and will not comment on the allegations any longer.

On Aug. 6, a 21-year-old woman brought rape allegations against the 26-year-old Chicago Blackhawks star. She said Kane sexually assaulted her in his bed at his home in Hamburg, N.Y., after a night out at the bars.

The investigation, conducted by Hamburg police and the Erie County District Attorney's Office, showed there were inconsistencies between the woman's version of events and that of other witnesses, District Attorney Frank Sedita said in a statement. Sedita said the DNA results "lend no corroboration whatsoever to the complainant's claim of penetration" and the physical evidence and forensic evidence contradicted her claim that the assault occurred in his bed.