A history of past Blackhawks players' off-ice troubles
Patrick Kane's arrest early Sunday morning on charges of robbery has led to this look back to Chicago Blackhawks off-ice incidents over the past twenty years. If I have missed anything, please add-on. Also, my history only goes back thirty years in memory. Any incidents from previous generations would also be welcome additions.
August 2009 - Patrick Kane Arrested
Kane and his cousin are arrested in an early morning dispute with a Buffalo cabbie over change due on their fare. Charges include second-degree robbery, a Class C felony.
Another example of why coins should be outlawed by the United States Mint. They cause more harm then good. Always falling between the cushions, jamming in vending machines, revealing losing lottery ticket results, etc.
November 2007 - Tuomo Ruutu Arrested
Ruutu was mistakenly arrested as a suspect in a robbery attempt by Bensenville police. It was a mistake, but, hey, an arrest is an arrest. It's Ruutu's fault he looked suspicious.
In unrelated news, Tuomo was never charged after stealing the Blackhawks money. On the other hand, he did bring Andrew Ladd in return.
March 2003 - Alexei Zhamnov Pleads Guilty to DUI
Zhamnov, the Blackhawks' team captain, continues to lead the club over the bridge to nowhere. Alexei's arrest follows the infamous "strip club incident" in January (see below). The team was off to a promising start before the subsequent events helped lead to another missed playoffs.
Geez, enough to make a guy want to have a couple of drinks.
January 2003 - The Strip Club Incident
The incident occured on an early Sunday morning at Pure Platinum in Columbus, Ohio. Police arrived to calls of a disturbance at the strip club to find an intoxicated and bloodied Theo Fleury. Fleury refused to give his address or phone number, but did let the officers know he played for the Blackhawks. Good to see he tried the old "don't you know who I am" routine. Fleury refused medical treatment, but did claim he'd been "hit several times by about nine bouncers."
No arrests or suspensions ever resulted from the night in Columbus. However, it was a blackeye for the organization and former coach Brian Sutter. Fleury, as well as two teammates, where disciplined by Sutter. The two teammates have been reported to be Tyler Arnason and Phil Housley.
After a successful rehabilitation of Bob Probert's career, the Blackhawks foolishly thought they had the resources to do the same for Fleury. However, they underestimated the extent of Fleury's demons and the club spiraled further into obscurity.
June 1990 - Chris Chelios Arrested
Shortly after his arrival with the Blackhawks, Chelios was arrested in Madison, WI on misdemeanor charges of public urination and resisting arrest. Chelios was reportedly spotted peeing on the sidewalk outside Lundeen's bar.
Well, you gotta go, ya gotta go. I think we've all been there. And he's Chris frickin' Chelios. So we'll let this one slide. Anyway, who doesn't want to piss all over Wisconsin. Helps the odor.
As you may notice, there is a big gap of events in the '90's. I could not recall nor find any off-ice discrepencies worth reporting during those years. Ironically, Bob Probert was a member of the Blackhawks from 1995 til 2002. However, all of his run-ins with the law preceded his Hawks' stint including charges on cocaine possession and numerous DUI's.
Maybe these current Blackhawks are missing a Probert-like figure. An individual who not only protects them on the ice, but steers them clear of the off-ice pitfalls as well.
2 Comments
Dave Morris said:
Mark, excellent followup by you on this.
Whatever Patrick Kane did or didn't do, whether or not he may have been provoked by a cab driver whose video interview shows he told them "I don't give a F-- about who you are", Kane is a public figure whose actions are heavily scrutinized.
The young man is paying the price in the court of public opinion. This incident may yet cost him even more.
While many are ready to judge him, ultimately the legal system will make the definitive ruling...though the media cares little for that process.
It would be a sad thing if a promising career were destroyed because of an argument over a dollar and twenty cents.
Sal J. Barry said:
You are right about Probert. His infamous motorcycle crash occurred July 15, 1994. He signed with the Blackhawks on July 23, 1994. However, he was suspended for a whole season by the NHL in September of that year. Probert was technically a 'Hawk then, but I don't think one is considered a part of a team until they actually *play* for that team.
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