I really feel for Patrick Kane’s parents.

As the father of a 23-year-old, I can’t imagine what these two are going through watching their 20-year-old son paraded in front of the cameras over misdemeanor charges for allegedly roughing up a cab driver.

He looked every one of his 20 years as he spoke to the press.

Kane is lucky he was not charged with a felony.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Blackhawks star winger Patrick Kane and his cousin pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges in Buffalo, N.Y. Thursday for allegedly roughing up a cab driver during an argument.

“Today was a tough day for us,” Kane, 20, said following his afternoon arraignment, which lasted about five minutes.

“You know, I just reiterated to the judge that I’m not guilty of any crime. . . .Right now, much more can’t be said. I’m confident in the legal process. I believe in it, and hopefully this time will be behind me.”

On Wednesday, an Erie County, N.Y. grand jury threw out the more serious second-degree robbery felony charges against Kane and his cousin, James Kane, 21, but indicted them on third-degree assault, theft of services and harassment.

The cousins’ next court date is scheduled for Thursday morning, but they are not required to appear at that hearing.

The pair, who are free without bail, are allegedly working on a plea agreement, according to the Buffalo News.

Click on the link above and read the Sun-Times’ account of the incident.  It sounds bad.

Mom and Dad, you’ll get through this.  But your son must face the music.