The boos from the fans had ended and the arena was nearly empty Saturday when Patrick Kane appeared at an entrance leading back to the ice, where he was greeted warmly by a group of about 75 family members and friends.
With a wave of one hand and his hockey stick in the other, Kane finally drew a cheer. He then headed into the stands to hug his mother, Donna, who was wearing a Blackhawks No. 88 jersey with “Kane” on the back.
Kane was back home in Buffalo, N.Y., for the first time since a three-month investigation into a rape allegation in August failed to produce enough evidence for charges to be filed against him.