Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane skates during NHL hockey training camp at the Compton Family Ice Center on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., Friday, September 18, 2015.

On Thursday, Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane stepped in front of a microphone to speak about the recent rape allegations that have transformed his offseason from a Stanley Cup celebration to a legal mess filled with plenty of media and public scrutiny.

Kane spoke publicly for the first time about the investigation on Thursday, mostly to say that he couldn’t comment on the investigation but did proclaim his innocence. On Friday at Kane’s first appearance on ice at camp a crowd of some 4,000 applauded and loudly cheered him. “I mean, I was a little rusty”, Kane said. “And until we know any different, he’s part of the Blackhawks and we enjoy him and want to support the team”, Derrick Ramer, Blackhawks fan, said. After statements from Kane and McDonough, any additional questions not related to hockey were avoided. “While I have too much respect for the legal process to comment on an ongoing matter, I am confident that when once all the facts are brought to light, I will be absolved of having done nothing wrong”.

He is accused of assaulting a woman in her 20s in August at his off-season home outside Buffalo, N.Y., a person familiar with the investigation has told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because police have not revealed details of the case.

“Our team has been through some tough situations”, said Head Coach Joel Quenneville. Based on discussions with Kane’s legal representatives, McDonough said, the decision was made to allow Kane to join the team for camp.

As it stands right now, the star player has yet to be charged with anything, but there is currently a grand jury hearing that is scheduled for later this month.

That includes a question about whether Kane believes he has a drinking problem, which he politely declined to answer. “I think a lot of guys are struggling, like I said, to shake that rust off and get things going, and he just goes out there and plays the game and things are going smooth for him, so it’s good to see that”.