In this Dec. 26, 2015, file photo, Buffalo Sabres' Evander Kane (9) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins in Boston.Michael Dwyer/The Associated Press
Sabres forward Evander Kane was arrested by Buffalo police Friday, and faces numerous charges for allegedly grabbing three women by the neck, hair and arms during an altercation at a downtown bar last month.
The 24-year-old Kane was handcuffed after turning himself in outside the police department's downtown booking facility. Kane was processed and released, and is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Aug. 1. He faces four counts of non-criminal harassment, one count of disorderly conduct and a count of misdemeanour trespass as a result of the altercation that happened in the early hours of June 24 – the same day the NHL's two-day draft opened in Buffalo.
The arrest was made a day after investigators informed the player's lawyer of the charges and requested Kane surrender himself, Buffalo police downtown district chief Joseph Gramaglia said.
Kane's lawyer Paul Cambria told The Associated Press by phone that his client denies the charges. Cambria questioned why Kane was charged with trespassing when he was invited to the bar by the establishment's owner.
Cambria was also surprised police handcuffed Kane outside the facility, when his client voluntarily surrendered.
"Obviously, it wasn't necessary," Cambria said. "But we don't govern their actions."
Gramaglia said it is police policy to handcuff all suspects upon entering the secure facility regardless of who they are or the charges.
Gramaglia said the charges are based on allegations made by three women, who said they were grabbed by Kane inside and outside the bar. A male bar employee, who forcibly removed Kane from the establishment, also filed a complaint which led to the disorderly conduct and trespass charges, Gramaglia said.
He said no one was injured.
The Sabres and the NHL both issued statements saying they are aware of Kane's arrest.