Buffalo Sabres Forward Evander Kane Turns Himself in Following Incident at Local Bar

Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane turned himself into police on Friday to answer to allegations of his part in an incident at a Buffalo bar last month. 

Kane was charged with misdemeanors for one count of criminal trespassing and four counts of non-criminal harassment as well as disorderly conduct, stemming from the incident in the early morning hours of June 24^th.  

The 24-year-old forward was taken in handcuffs to the City Court building on Friday morning. Kane’s attorney, Paul J. Cambria told the Buffalo Daily News that his client maintains his innocence and will continue to fight the charges. 

Cambria said, “Without a doubt, he plans to defend himself against these charges.”

Kane had allegedly put his hands on four people, including grabbing the throat of one woman as he tried to force her into his car, during the early morning hours of June 24 at Bottoms Up bar in Buffalo. Despite the charges, Cambria does not feel they will affect his future with the organization. 

He added, “These are minor non-criminal [charges.] The trespass is a nonviolent property allegation.”  

National Hockey League Deputy Commissioner, Bill Daly said, “We are aware of the legal developments in Buffalo today relating to an incident involving Evander Kane in and around the time of the NHL Draft last month. While we attend to monitor the developments in his legal proceedings, at this time it is not the league’s current intention to take any form of disciplinary action against Mr. Kane. Mr. Kane will be directed to the NHL/NHLPA Behavioral Health professionals for evaluation and counseling, as they may determine necessary.”

 

In a statement released by the Sabres, the team said, “We are aware of the charges against Evander Kane stemming from an incident last month. Our organization will have no further comment at this time.”

 

Kane turned himself into the police on Friday morning and after he was processed, he was issued a summons to appear in court on August 1^st. 

According to WIVB.com, Kane was under investigation for an incident involving an alleged sexual offense earlier in the year at HarborCenter, the practice facility of the Sabres. In that incident, the Erie County District Attorney’s office decided not formally filed any charges.

WIVB News4 also reported that photos and video from inside the bar is being sifted through as evidence in the case. They also stated that the general manager of the bar, David Robida, told them that while Kane was not involved in the incident, his friend was. Kane and his friend were both escorted out of the bar on the night in question though.