Blackhawks' Kane charged with assaulting, robbing taxi driver
An off-season full of bad publicity continued for the Blackhawks on Sunday with Patrick Kane's arrest in his hometown of Buffalo, N.Y., on charges of assaulting and robbing a taxi driver.
According to the police report, the 20-year-old Kane and his cousin, James M. Kane, 21, were arrested at about 5 a.m. after allegedly punching the cabdriver after he said he did not have correct change for their fare.
The report says the cab fare was $13.80 and the Kanes gave the driver $15. The driver claimed he had only $1 change and was not in possession of another 20 cents. The police report said both Kanes took their money back and punched the driver in the face and head.
Both Kanes have been charged with second-degree robbery, a Class C felony, and fourth-degree criminal mischief and theft of services, both Class A misdemeanors.
Buffalo police spokesman Michael DeGeorge said the cabdriver claimed he was punched in the face, grabbed by the throat and had his glasses broken.
Buffalo television station WIVB was reporting Sunday afternoon that an attorney for the Kanes entered a plea of not guilty in court.
The Hawks issued a statement saying they still were collecting all the facts.
"We are aware of the allegations towards Patrick Kane," read the statement issued by team spokesman Brandon Faber. "He is a big part of our organization and a team leader and we stand behind him.
"As we are still collecting all the facts, it would be premature to comment further at this time."
According to a source, the NHL is investigating the incident and working with the Buffalo police department to assemble the details. NHL Players Association executive director Paul Kelly and director of player affairs Glenn Healy also are gathering information on the case.
Kane, a Buffalo native and the first player taken in the 2007 draft who has become a megastar with the Hawks, had attended a news conference earlier in the week with the mayor of Buffalo to announce funding for a local rink.
Kane is one of the most popular players on the Hawks and has numerous endorsement deals, including being the cover boy for the EA Sports NHL 2010 video game.
His arrest followed weeks of turmoil within the Hawks organization that started with the grievance filed against the team by the NHL Players Association for the late filing of qualifying offers to its restricted free agent.
That clerical error cost the Hawks millions in salaries to re-sign those players affected and led to the demotion of general manager Dale Tallon despite the team's trip to the Western Conference finals.
Last month the Hawks withheld injury information on newly signed free agent Marian Hossa, who wound up having surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff that will sideline him until December.
Then the NHL announced two weeks ago it was investigating the Hawks again for the 12-year, $62.8 million contract they gave Hossa to see if the club attempted to circumvent the salary cap by the length of the deal.