Patrick Kane was on the ice for the U.S. Olympic team orientation camp earlier this week. (Paul Beaty/Associated Press)Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane and his cousin pleaded not guilty to misdemeanour assault and theft charges in a Buffalo court.
Patrick and James Kane appeared before judge Thomas Amodeo on Thursday, a day after a grand jury indicted them on charges stemming from an incident with a Buffalo cab driver.
The same grand jury panel dismissed a more serious felony charge of second-degree robbery.
"Today was a tough day for us," Kane told reporters following the hearing. "I just reiterated to the judge that I'm not guilty of any crime, and I'm confident in the legal process."
Kane, 20, and his cousin were arrested early Aug. 9 in Buffalo after cab driver Jan Radecki, 62, told police two men attacked him when he said he didn't have 20 cents change for their fare.
The men allegedly punched Radecki in the face and head, took the money they had given him and grabbed him by the throat, breaking his glasses.
The judge adjourned the case until Aug. 27 and granted a defence request that the Kanes do not need to appear at that session.
Kane and his cousin are free without bail.
The judge granted a request made by the Kanes' lawyer, Paul Cambria, and assistant district attorney Paul Bonanno that the Kanes and Radecki have no contact with each other.
Kane, who grew up in Buffalo, was the No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft and won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year in 2008.
He was back in Buffalo on Thursday after participating in a U.S. Olympic hockey camp in suburban Chicago earlier this week.
"I spent the last three days skating with some of the best hockey players in the world, and it reminded me how lucky I am to do this job for a living," Kane said. "I'm grateful to be a part of the Chicago Blackhawks organization, and hopefully I can play for my country at the Olympics."
Cambria declined comment.
He's previously said that he's had numerous discussions with the district attorney's office about a potential plea deal. D.A. Frank Sedita III has declined to discuss the possibility of reaching a plea deal with Kane.
With files from The Associated Press
