Patrick Kane addresses the media at the U.S. Olympic hockey camp in suburban Chicago on Monday. (Paul Beaty/Associated Press)

Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane made a brief statement before heading off to the U.S. Olympic hockey camp on Monday, apologizing for an incident that sparked his arrest just over a week ago in his hometown of Buffalo, N.Y.

Kane, 20, made his first public comments at Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge, Ill., where more than 30 players are taking part in a process to prepare the U.S. men's hockey team for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

Kane and his cousin, James Kane, were arrested early Aug. 9 in Buffalo after an incident with a cab driver. Both men were charged with felony robbery and misdemeanour counts of theft and criminal mischief; they pleaded not guilty.

"Because I've put myself in being 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," Kane said.

Kane said he could not comment on the details of the incident due to pending legal proceedings.

Jan Radecki, the cabdriver, reported the two men beat him up after he told them he didn't have 20 cents change when they paid the fare.

The Erie County District Attorney's office presented the case to a grand jury, with a decision expected sometime later this week on whether the charges will be pursued.

Following his statement, a team spokesman said Kane and his teammates would not be discussing the issue during camp. But Kane showed up to meet the media after a one-hour skate and didn't skirt the issue.

Court date postponed

He said the worst part of the whole incident was the shock he gave his family.

"Probably being in handcuffs and them seeing me in handcuffs," he said. "They said it's something they never want to see again. My family didn't raise me that way, so it's tough letting them down."

Kane was originally slated to appear in court on Monday, but the date was postponed so he could attend the camp.

"Now it's time for me to move forward," Kane said. "I'm excited to get back to the ice and represent the Chicago Blackhawks and the United States Olympic hockey team."

Kane is expected to be one of the offensive leaders for the Americans next year. The centre has recorded 142 points in 162 career games after being selected first overall in the 2007 NHL entry draft.

The young star was chosen by EA Sports to grace the cover of its NHL 2010 video game, slated for release next month.

The U.S. team is being led by general manager Brian Burke and coach Ron Wilson, both of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Burke said Monday he has talked to Kane and doesn't expect the incident will affect his play.

"It's possible for a young man to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and make a poor decision," Burke said. "I know when I was Patrick Kane's age, I did a couple of things I wouldn't want to talk about up here."

The Blackhawks fans who packed into the arena for the team's first skate on Monday gave Kane a taste of what he should expect next season.

"I saw there were a lot of Kane jerseys in the stands — still a lot of support out there," he said. "I saw a Dallas guy up in front booing me pretty good.

"Sometimes you have the chuckle at things like that. There are probably going to be a lot of comments and jokes the next couple of years. It was good to get out there and put everything behind you and skate on the ice in front of some fans."

With files from The Associated Press