Patrick Kane vs 62-Year-Old Cab Driver

Written August 10, 2009 by Jack Jones

patrick-kane-punches-cabbie Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane allegedly became outraged and slugged a 62 year cab driver when the cabbie couldn’t provide him with 20 cents in change. The Huffington Post reports that Kane and his cousin have been charged with felony robbery and misdemeanor counts of theft of services and criminal mischief. Kane has since pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In the police report describing the incident, the driver reported that both Kane, 20 and his cousin, 21, punched and hit him because he didn’t have the 20 cents in change he was owed for his payment for the ride.

This is an odd story to say the least, and, if true, one of the dumbest athlete crimes I’ve heard of in a long time, maybe ever. Kane was the first overall pick in the 2007 NHL draft, and signed an $875,000 contract (the highest allowed for NHL rookies). Why he would become so upset over not getting his full change back is up for speculation, but it’s hard to believe that alcohol wasn’t involved considering the incident happened around 4 a.m. Of course everything is just speculation until we get some more detailed reports, but this just isn’t good for Kane or the Chicago Blackhawks.

We will have to wait and see if the NHL will hand down any form of suspension, or if Kane will miss any time due to legal trouble resulting from the incident. Any long-term loss would definitely be a blow to the Blackhawks, who the NHL odds say are tied as the 3rd favorite to win the Stanley Cup in 2010 at +800 odds, behind only the Red Wings (+400) and Penguins (+600)

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