Chicago Blackhawks star player Patrick Kane was charged with attacking a cab driver in his hometown of Buffalo on Sunday. According to police, the beating was triggered when the driver indicated that he did not have 20 cents in change to give the player and his cousin who was in the cab with him.

Police say that Kane, 20, and his cousin James Kane, 21, caught a cab from the city's downtown nightclub district around 4am. The driver says he was punched and hit by both men because he did not have 20 cents in change to give them. The cab driver suffered from cuts to his face, and his glasses were broken.

Both Patrick and James were charged with felony robbery and misdemeanor counts of theft or services and criminal mischief. On Sunday, Patrick Kane pleaded not guilty in City Court. It was not clear whether James Kane would appear in court.

A spokesman for the Blackhawks said that the team was aware of the situation, and stated:

"He is a big part of our organization and a team leader and we stand behind him. As we are still collecting all the facts, it would be premature to comment further at this time."

Kane played his first two NHL seasons with Chicago and had 46 goals and 96 assists. In 2008, he won the Calder Trophy, which is given to the league's best rookie.