BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Sabres forward Evander Kane was calm and brief in saying he looks forward to having his name cleared in connection with a sex crime allegation.
"I just want to say I've done nothing wrong," Kane said Monday morning following Buffalo's pregame skate before hosting the Washington Capitals. "I respect the legal process. And unfortunately, at this time, there's not much more I can talk about."
Kane spoke for about 30 seconds in front of a large gathering of reporters in a corner of the Sabres locker room. He did not take any questions in his first comments since The Buffalo News reported that Buffalo police were investigating a claim made against him.
The alleged incident occurred early Sunday at a downtown hotel, where Kane is living, after he and the Sabres returned to Buffalo following a 6-3 win at Boston. Police issued a statement that was limited to saying no report or charges had been filed.
The investigation is in its preliminary stages, according to a person with direct knowledge of the details who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Officials are not publicly commenting on the case. The source said police searched Kane's room at the hotel and towed his vehicle, which was described as standard practice in such cases.
Kane rejoined his teammates after being given a personal day off Sunday, when coach Dan Bylsma said the Sabres were made aware of the allegation. Bylsma said Kane would be in the lineup against the Capitals.
Without going into detail, Bylsma said Kane addressed the team before practice. He added that Kane appeared happy to be on the ice with his teammates. Bylsma otherwise declined comment by referring to a statement the team released Sunday.
"We take the allegation made today against Evander Kane very seriously," the Sabres said. "We are gathering facts and have been in touch with the NHL and Evander's representatives."
Kane, who is from North Vancouver, British Columbia, is the second NHL player to be investigated for a sex offense by police in the Buffalo area this year. In November, prosecutors cited a lack of credible evidence after reviewing an allegation against Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane, who was accused of assaulting a woman in August at his offseason home outside Buffalo.
Sabres captain Brian Gionta said the allegation against Kane shouldn't be a distraction.
"It's one of our teammates, obviously, but the bottom line is when we're in this room, we have to worry about hockey," Gionta said. "Lots of things happen, and that's for him to deal with. Part of being a professional is trying to separate things."
Gionta referred to the team statement when asked how the team will support Kane.
"It's a serious accusation, but at the same time, that's what it is at this point in time," Gionta said. "And until things change, he's our teammate, and that's about it."
The 24-year-old Kane is in his first full season in Buffalo. He was acquired in a multi-player trade with the Winnipeg Jets in February. He did not play for the Sabres last year because he was recovering from season-ending shoulder surgery.
This year, the hard-hitting forward has eight goals and five assists in 25 games.
Kane is in his seventh NHL season after being selected fourth overall by the then-Atlanta Thrashers in the 2009 draft. He has scored 19 or more goals three times and enjoyed a career-best season in 2011-12, when he recorded 30 goals and 27 assists for 57 points in 74 games.