NHL

NHL superstar Evander Kane just pled not guilty to charges he got physical with several women at a Buffalo bikini bar back in June ... and says VIDEO evidence will prove he did nothing wrong.

The Buffalo Sabres star was arrested earlier this month -- after officials say he got violent during a night at Bottoms Up bar on June 24th.

According to media reports, Kane allegedly yanked one of the women by the hair and grabbed her throat while pushing her into his car.

The bouncer tried to break it up and Kane put his hands on him too. The entire incident was reportedly captured on security video.

But on Monday, Kane went before a judge in Buffalo City Court ... and pled NOT GUILTY to criminal trespassing, harassment and disorderly conduct.

If found guilty, Kane faces up to 90 days in jail ... however, first time offenders are rarely locked up, according to the DA.

Kane is due back in court on September 9th.

Ray Bourque's blood alcohol level was more than 3 TIMES the legal limit when the Boston Bruins legend was arrested for drunk driving this weekend ... this according to the police report.

55-year-old Bourque -- considered one of the greatest defensemen of all time -- was arrested in Andover, Mass. on Friday night after allegedly rear-ending a minivan at 11:30 PM.

Cops arrived to the scene and arrested Bourque -- who admitted to "having a few drinks" at the Andover Country Club, according to the police report obtained by the Eagle Tribune.

Bourque appeared in court earlier today and pled not guilty to OUI -- operating under the influence.

Bourque issued a statement -- saying, "For the first time in my life, I find myself in unfamiliar territory. I am not happy about the situation I put myself into on Friday night."

"I am a very proud person that accepts the responsibility of my actions and have always accepted being in the media eye."

P.K. Subban says he's sick of being known as the black guy in the NHL -- and would rather be known as "one of the best players in the league" ... regardless of race.

The Montreal Canadiens superstar was out at The Nice Guy in Hollywood Monday night -- when we asked him what it was like being one of only 20 black players in the league in 2015.

"I like to be recognized as one of the best players in the league, not just a black player," Subban told us.

FYI-- Subban's been a stud on the ice ... a 2-time All Star and the 2013 James Norris trophy winner for best defensive player in the league.

Pretty big opportunity for ex-NHLer-turned-actor Sean Avery ... who says he just locked up a role in Mark Wahlberg's new movie about the Boston Marathon bombings.

Avery posted a pic of himself in a Watertown PD uniform ... just days after announcing he got a role in "Patriots Day."

FYI -- The Watertown PD heroically hunted down the terrorists who placed the bombs at the 2013 Boston Marathon.

Unclear how big of a role Avery will have, but he's clearly excited about it.

As for Wahlberg, he was actually in character at the Marathon Monday to shoot scenes for the movie ... which co-stars John Goodman, Kevin Bacon and J.K. Simmons.

Question: How drunk is too drunk at a hockey game?

Answer: When you sloppily fall out of your seat and crush the guy in front of you ... this according to a new lawsuit.

A guy named John Cooke is suing the Chicago Blackhawks claiming he was enjoying the game at the United Center on May 23rd ... until some drunk jerk sitting behind him got so hammered, he couldn't stand up straight.

The fan says people complained about the drunkard to security and arena staff -- but no one did anything.

Problem is ... when the Blackhawks scored a goal in the 1st period, the drunk fan lost his balance and fell down 2 rows, allegedly crushing Cooke in the process.

Cooke says he suffered injuries in the drunken disaster -- and he's suing the team and the United Center claiming the guy should have been kicked out long before he had a chance to fall on people.

Oh, say can you see Dr. Drew Pinsky -- mild-mannered radio and TV doctor -- singing like Boccelli, Domingo or Pavarotti??

Of course you can't, but turns out Dr. Drew really does have musical chops ... and he used 'em to belt out the Star Spangled Banner at last night's L.A. Kings game in Staples Center.

When Drew took to the ice, you could tell the crowd was a little shocked. But the good doc -- who's now hosting "Dr. Drew Midday Live with Mike Catherwood" on KABC radio -- tells us he's always loved singing.

He took vocal lessons during college, and even though he never lived out his opera dreams ... he kept training while practicing medicine.

Check it out, he even nailed that last note -- the one that makes you cringe 'cause you're never sure if the person can do it.

A hockey player drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks is being prosecuted over revenge porn -- after officials say he shared a sex photo of a woman he should have known was not meant for other eyes.

HOCKEY SMACK TALK!!!!

President Barack Obama stuck it to Canada this morning ... hitting the Prime Minister over the subject that hurts the most -- HOCKEY!!!!

Obama was with P.M. Justin Trudeau at the White House talking about things the two countries will never agree on. One of those things ... who's better at hockey.

When Trudeau sniped, "Don't get me started" ... Obama replied, "Where's the Stanley Cup right now?"

"I'm sorry, is it in my hometown with the Chicago Blackhawks?!"

BOOOOOM!!!!!!!

11:50 AM PT -- We spoke with Cantor's lawyer who tells us ... the 59-year-old man was at the game with his son when he reached out with his hand to block the puck from hitting his kid's face.

We're told Cantor was struck in the left thumb -- leaving him with significant damage to his thumb, hand and shoulder ... damage which required surgery to repair.

A hockey fan who says he was hit by a puck at a NY Rangers game is suing the team -- claiming he was permanently injured during a 2013 game ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The man behind the suit is Robert Cantor -- who claims he was in the stands at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2013 to watch the Rangers play the Sabres when things went terribly wrong.

In his suit, filed in state court in NY, Cantor claims he was "struck by a high speed projectile (puck) and [sustained] severe and permanent injuries."

Cantor says he suffered pain, shock and mental anguish and is unable to perform normal activities.

NHL star Mike Richards just caught a big break in his drug possession case in Canada, but should be on his best behavior for the next year.

A judge in Manitoba just stayed the charge ... which means the charge is off the table, but can be brought back to life within a year. If Richards manages to stay out of trouble during that time, the case will be completely dismissed.

As we previously reported, the ex-L.A. Kings player faced up to six months in jail after he was popped for smuggling Oxycodone across the border in June and charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Canucks goalie Ryan Miller's going super old school with a sweet custom made throwback helmet that gives props to his hot actress wife -- and could be worth $10,000 when it's all said and done.

Miller, one of the best in the game, is prepping for the 20th anniversary game at Vancouver's Rogers Arena next month by ordering a helmet that features the team's old color scheme -- black, red and yellow.

Here's what's really cool about the gear -- the back of it has his nickname, "Miller Time" ... and it also says, "Puck Noureen Bodhi." Bodhi is for his son, Puck is his dog, and Noureen is for his wife, Noureen DeWulf from "Anger Management."

Bishop Designs in Michigan (Ryan's a Michigan State guy) did the paint job, and tells TMZ Sports ... Ryan only plans to wear the mask once -- which will instantly jack up its value.

Warwick Mask made the helmet itself, and owner Gary Warwick says after the game it could be worth somewhere between $6,000 - $10,000!! Keep in mind, it only cost $2,700 to make and paint the thing.

Go 'Nucks!

Dustin Penner -- former hockey star for the Ducks and Kings -- is accused of assaulting a local gym manager ... but cops say it's just a civil dispute over money.

Chris Chelios does NOT want the NHL to start messing with the rules to create more goals -- telling TMZ Sports if Americans can't appreciate the game we have now, it should move to Europe.

It's a big topic in the NHL right now -- with Patrick Roy recently telling ESPN he thinks smaller goalie equipment and larger nets will lead to more goals ... which will help create more interest in the game.

But Chelios ain't feelin' Roy ... with the Hall of Famer telling us, "The NHL should move to Europe and we shoudn't play hockey anymore here."

The point is ... if Americans can't appreciate hockey the way it is now ... maybe we don't deserve it at all.

Chelios says there is ONE thing wrong with the NHL -- but it doesn't have to do with equipment.

Ex-L.A. Kings star Slava Voynov is taking his talents back to Mother Russia in the wake of his prosecution for domestic violence -- choosing to leave before getting deported.

As we previously reported ... Voynov pled no contest to domestic violence stemming from an incident where his wife accused him of kicking and choking her. Immigration officials have had Voynov in custody since earlier this month when he completed his jail sentence.

Deportation was on the table, but Voynov just announced he would leave on his own.

He says, "I sincerely apologize to those in and around the game of hockey, who have been affected by my situation, and I also wish the players of the L.A. Kings success in the future.’’

The Kings say they had already decided to cut Slava, and were going to announce it later this week.

L.A. Kings star Slava Voynov could be shipped back to Russia -- after immigration officials took him into custody ... following his release from jail stemming from a domestic violence conviction.

Ex-L.A. Kings player Mike Richards has been charged with possession of a controlled substance over an incident involving prescription drugs ... TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were investigating the NHL player for allegedly transporting Oxycodone across the border back in June.

Now, we've learned he's been charged with a crime -- and if convicted as a first time offender, he faces up to 6 months behind bars.