Patrick Kane returns to the ice with ovation from fans

Blackhawks fans are standing behind embattled start Patrick Kane, who has been accused of rape but not charged.

Apparently it’s not just the Chicago Blackhawks organization that is standing behind Patrick Kane. The team’s fans seem ready to support the embattled winger as well.

Patrick Kane's press conference reveals Blackhawks' tonedeafness

That, at least, was the impression of Buffalo News writer Mike Harrington, who was in South Bend, Ind., on Friday morning for the opening of the defending Stanley Cup champions’ training camp. Harrington captured on Vine the moment when Kane first stepped on the ice at Notre Dame’s Compton Family Ice Arena, describing the reception from the crowd as “a discernible ovation.”

The Hawks made the controversial decision to invite Kane to camp while he remains under investigation for sexual assault in western New York. He spoke to the media on Thursday for the first time since the incident, apologizing for the distraction he had caused before declaring that he had “done nothing wrong” and expects to be absolved.

Kane has not been charged with any crime. A grand jury is expected to begin examining the evidence in the case later this month.