BUFFALO, N.Y. — A 21-year-old Buffalo woman has sued Sabres forward Evander Kane, saying he seriously injured her in the hotel room where he lives.
Documents filed July 1 in Erie County State Supreme Court on behalf of Rachel Kuechle say Kane met her in a bar, invited her to what he said was a party and then attacked her, causing cuts and bleeding that required multiple surgeries. Without providing details of how she was injured, her lawyers said Kuechle suffered "serious emotional trauma" and "serious, permanent and painful personal injuries."
Kane’s actions are described as "unwanted, unconsented to, violent and offensive in nature physical battery," according to court papers.
No monetary damages were specified in the lawsuit. A message left for Kuechle’s lawyer wasn’t immediately returned.
Kane had been cleared in March of any criminal charges after authorities investigated the Dec. 27 encounter initially described as a possible sexual assault.
His lawyer didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday but has denied any wrongdoing by his client.
According to the lawsuit, Kuechle met Kane at the Encore Restaurant and Bar on the evening of Dec. 26 and Kane bought her drinks before inviting her back to his room on what her lawyers describe as a "false pretext" of a party. The pair were taken to the Buffalo Marriott Harborcenter by Kane’s driver, court papers say. Once in the room, Kane "engaged in extreme and outrageous conduct" toward Kuechle, the suit said.
Kane pleaded not guilty Monday to non-criminal harassment, disorderly conduct and trespass stemming from an unrelated incident at a bar on June 24.
In that case, Kane is accused of grabbing three women inside Bottoms Up, a Buffalo nightclub. A male bar employee said he also had a run-in with the NHL player.
Paul Cambria, Kanes lawyer, said those allegations were "extremely exaggerated" and his client "denies strenuously any wrongdoing."
The fourth player selected in the 2009 draft, Kane was acquired in a multiplayer trade with Winnipeg in February 2015. He scored 20 goals and added 15 assists in 65 games last season. He has two years remaining on his contract.
