Ever since the Blackhawks made Patrick Kane the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft two summers ago, the baby-faced winger has been the golden boy of the franchise, sparking a resurgence on and off the ice.
But with his arrest early Sunday in his hometown of Buffalo after an altercation with a male cab driver, allegedly over 20 cents, the high-scoring, quick-with-a-grin Kane has had his public image tarnished.
“They broke my glasses, they ripped my clothes … all over 20 cents,” cab driver Jan Radecki said Sunday when reached by the Tribune at his home, where he said he was recovering from a broken nose.
According to the police report obtained by the Tribune, Kane, 20, was identified as aiding his cousin James M. Kane, 21 — who was listed as the main defendant — in the incident.
Messages left with Patrick Kane, his agent and the Kane family home in Buffalo were not returned.
The report stated that at about 5 a.m., the cousins took a cab from Chippewa Street, an area in Buffalo known for its nightlife, to Eastwood Place, with the fare totaling $13.80. The men handed over $15, but when Radecki gave back a dollar and said he didn’t have the 20 cents change, James Kane tore the money from his hand and both men began punching the driver in the face and head, according to the report.
Police recovered a torn $5 bill from James Kane’s right pocket, the report stated.
Patrick Kane earned a base salary of $875,000 last season, and entry-level contract bonuses pushed his total pay to $3.725 million.
Radecki said that during the payment dispute, James Kane, who was sitting behind him, “sucker-punched” him. At that point, Radecki said, Patrick Kane began punching him.
” The other one [Patrick] punched me in the head. He says, ‘You don’t know who you’re [expletive] with! You don’t know who you’re [expletive] with! And he kept pounding and pounding on me,” Radecki said, his voice rising to a shout.
A witness saw the attack and called police, Radecki said. He said he initially was leery after picking the two up because they wouldn’t immediately give him a destination.
Buffalo police spokesman Michael DeGeorge said the Kanes were charged with second-degree robbery, a Class C felony, and fourth-degree criminal mischief and theft of services, both Class A misdemeanors, and were taken to the Erie County Holding Center.
The pair reportedly spent several hours there before being taken to the Buffalo City Court for arraignment around 8 a.m. After pleading not guilty before Judge E. Jeanette Ogden, the Kanes were released.
Radecki said he was shocked that Patrick Kane — who days earlier stood with Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown to announce funding at area ice rinks — would attack him in his cab.
“I didn’t know [he] was a hockey player. I heard on the news … the new hockey rink, they raised a lot of money,” Radecki said.
But Radecki says he wants the case to receive the same type of prominence from the mayor’s office, police and prosecutors.
“What are you doing about it? He’s hitting a 60-year-old man,” Radecki said.
Radecki, who said he has worked as a cab driver for about 30 years, said he plans to meet with an attorney Monday.
The Hawks released this statement: “We are aware of the allegations toward Patrick Kane. 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.”
Kane is scheduled to be in Chicago next week to participate in the U.S. Olympic team’s orientation camp at Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge. He was one of 34 players invited to the camp, which will help determine the U.S. roster for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.
Kane’s arrest adds another chapter to the Hawks’ off-season woes, which began with the misfiling of qualifying offers to their restricted free agents and includes the re-assigning of general manager Dale Tallon, shoulder surgery for newly signed free agent Marian Hossa and an ongoing NHL investigation into the structure of Hossa’s contract.
Kane had 21 goals and 51 assists as an 18-year-old in 2007-08, earning the Calder Trophy as the league’s rookie of the year.
Last season, despite playing much of the second half with a high ankle sprain, Kane had 25 goals and 45 assists to help lead the Hawks to the Western Conference finals, one step from playing for the Stanley Cup.
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Off-season missteps
Kane incident the latest in a strange summer for Hawks
Mail disorder
Qualifying offers to restricted free agents Kris Versteeg, Cam Barker, Ben Eager, Troy Brouwer, Colin Fraser and Aaron Johnson go out late, missing a June 29 deadline. Hawks don’t lose any players, but embarrassing snafu costs them more in contracts.
Dale Tallon
Relieved as general manager July 14, days before the Hawks’ fan convention, where team officials are booed because of the move.
Marian Hossa
High-profile free agent signee has shoulder surgery July 25 and is expected to miss the first two months of the season. Days later comes news the NHL is investigating whether Hossa’s 12-year deal circumvents the salary cap.
Martin Havlat
In early July, after the Hawks chose to sign Hossa over Havlat, the former Hawk rips the team on his Twitter page for a lack of loyalty, saying the truth will come out.
Patrick Kane
2008 rookie of the year is charged Sunday morning in Buffalo along with his cousin with felony robbery and misdemeanor counts of theft of services and criminal mischief after an altercation with a cab driver.
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ckuc@tribune.com
wlee@tribune.com
On the Internet
Check out the Buffalo police report at chicagotribune.com/kanepolice
