August 17, 2009
(8-16) Patrick Kane 2 – mugshot/cabbie
(8-17) Patrick Kane prepared statement (video/text)
(8-19) Grand Jury indicts Patrick Kane on misdemeanor charges
Patrick Kane talked with the media for the first time about his arrest after his work out to get on the US Olympic Hockey Team. 34 NHL players are vying for 23 spots on the team.
He was very subdued. He’s only 20 and is in this position. One crazy night that he will never repeat.
Tribune recording/hand transcribed.
How have the last two weeks been?
PATRICK KANE:
It’s getting better. That’s all I can say. Try to move on and get over this.
People been supportive?
It’s been very supportive from a lot of people. Times like these maybe you can live and learn and find out who your true friends are at an early age.
Distraction?
It’s nice to get away and skate with the guys and just be part of US Hockey. It’s nice when you’re on the ice and get away from everything and really know what you’re privileged for.
He got asked about the Olympics. He said he’s been looking forward to it – it was fun to take part in World Championship but the Olympics everyone wants to be a part of.
I’m looking forward to proving myself in the beginning of the year and I hope I’m there in Vancouver skating for the US.
Worried about US Hockey? Told them the story?
I haven’t really told anyone my side of the story. The only one who really knows is my lawyer and my family. That’s about as far as it goes….
Worry about a lot of 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 in. Everyone’s been very supportive…they’re tending to see that not all of the facts are out but you can’t just judge on the first impression of the story.
The first impression was bad and the pix of the cabbie were even worse.
Then he talks about a hockey game…the World Championship?
Worried that no matter what the outcome is your reputation will take a hit?
Obviously it’s coming. It’s not to be unexpected.
He references Michael Vick:
For me, I was watching ESPN the other day and I’m watching Michael Vick give his speech and after that you heard people saying, ‘He’s not really sorry’ and things like that. But going through something, obviously not as bad as that, but something similar, you could tell he was sorry and that you really realize how privileged you are at times like this.
So, it was actually fun for me to watch and see kind of how sorry he was, and how happy he was to be back in the game of football.
There’s going to be ups and down in life, and things like this are going to happen, but you never want it to happen again.
What about the reception he got today?
From what I saw there were a lot of Kane jerseys in the stands, and still a lot of support out there. I saw a Dallas guy up in the front booing me pretty good. [Laughs] 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. So, I’m going to have to deal with it and get used to it. But 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.
Is he looking forward to telling your side?
You obviously want to tell it. But at a time like this, you can’t really do much. So, I think it’s best for now just to stay quiet and let the legal proceedings make its play and go from there.
What reaction were you expecting?
You never really know….[laughs] They call me the Miley Cyrus of hockey — so all the little kids in the stands they’re gonna give you a good cheers. Sometimes that overrides the other people.[smiling]
It was good to get out there and put everything behind ya and skate on the ice in front of fans…and every now and then look up and see a little kid waving your jersey or just wearing your jersey. It’s pretty cool.
Humbled by this experience?
You’re not going to be happy by it. I can’t say much at the time. I can’t really do much about the situation now…It could be a lot worse. You got to take it with what it is.
How frustrating is that not being able to say anything?
It’s tough but at the same time, hopefully, it works about for myself and my side of the story. Hopefully you guys never hear my side of it, right? Hopefully can get out of this as quick as possible.
He says it didn’t affect his training.
Toughest part?
Probably family’s reaction. Being in handcuffs – them seeing me in handcuffs. They said it’s something they never want to see again. My family didn’t raise me that way, so it’s tough to let them down, too.
Kane’s due back in court this Thursday to hear what the Grand Jury had to say. He seems awfully confident that it is going away.
