After apologizing Monday for an altercation with a Buffalo cabdriver, Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane said the toughest part of the ordeal was his family seeing him in handcuffs.
“They said it’s something they never want to see again,” a subdued Kane said following opening practice of the 2009 U.S. Men’s Olympic orientation camp. “My family didn’t raise me that way, so it’s tough to let them down too.”
Kane said he was worried how his arrest would affect his chances to make Team USA and how fans attending the three-day camp would react.
“At a time like this, obviously, you’re worried about different things,” Kane, 20, said.
“Things that come into play, being on the cover of a video game or coming to a camp like this or anything that you’re involved with. Everyone has been pretty supportive so far. They’re tending to see that not all the facts are out but you can’t just judge on the first impression of a story.”
Kane said he saw some fans wearing his jersey at camp Monday.
“I saw a Dallas guy up in the front booing me pretty good,” he said. “Sometimes you just have to chuckle at things like that. There’s probably going to be a lot of comments and jokes for the next couple of years. I’m going to have to deal with it and get used to it. It was fun to see the reception and still see the fans cheering — and obviously we have great fans in Chicago — so it was fun to see a lot of jerseys and the great reception from them.”
Until Monday, Kane had said nothing publicly about the Aug. 9 incident. He and his cousin, James Kane, 21, were arrested for allegedly beating and robbing a 62-year-old cabdriver apparently during an argument over the fare in Kane’s hometown of Buffalo.
Before practice, Kane read a brief statement that apologized for the pain he had caused his family and fans.
“I’ve been very lucky to achieve every kid’s dream of playing in the National Hockey League, let alone for a great organization like the Chicago Blackhawks,” said Kane, accompanied by Hawks General Manager Stan Bowman. “Now I also have a chance to play for my country, a dream come true for myself and also my family.
“I know everyone wants to talk about what happened in Buffalo. As you know, the legal proceedings are pending and I cannot discuss the details at this time. Because I put myself … in the wrong position at the wrong time I’ve caused a lot of pain for my family, my hometown of Buffalo, the city of Chicago, the Chicago Blackhawks and obviously the great fans we have here in Chicago. And for that part I sincerely apologize. Now it’s time for me to move forward. I’m excited to get back to the ice and represent the Chicago Blackhawks and the United States Olympic hockey team.”
Kane is among 34 NHL players, including Hawks teammate Dustin Byfuglien, invited to the Olympic camp held Monday through Wednesday. The camp is the first step toward determining the 23-man team that will compete in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver in February.
Brian Burke, general manager of the U.S. Olympic team, said Kane’s arrest wouldn’t have an impact on the winger’s chances of making the Olympic team.
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“There’s probably going to be a lot of comments and jokes for the next couple of years. I’m going to have to deal with it and get used to it.”
— Patrick Kane,
speaking to the media during Olympic orientation camp
