The Off Ice History of Evander Kane
Evander Kane was released by the San Jose Sharks due to breaking COVID protocol in the AHL and as most people know this isn't the first time Kane has been in the news for the wrong reasons. Here is a history of the incidents that should show as warning signs for any team looking to sign him.
Assault and harassment charges
July 1, 2016, Kane was sued by a 21-year-old woman who accused him of assaulting her in the hotel room where he lived. Court documents alleged that Kane "met her in a bar, invited her to what he said was a party and then attacked her, causing cuts and bleeding that required multiple surgeries."
On August 1, 2016, Kane pleaded not guilty to one count of criminal trespassing and four counts of non-criminal harassment after confrontations with four separate people at a downtown Buffalo bar in June 2016. According to a police report, Kane became involved in a fight with a bouncer at a bar called Bottoms Up, after allegedly grabbing an unnamed woman by the throat and attempting to force her into a car outside the nightclub. A second police report alleged that, in a separate incident, Kane grabbed a woman by the arms inside the nightclub and attempted to force her outside.
The Bottoms Up case was later adjourned and dismissed.
B>Gambling debts and bankruptcy
On November 4, 2019, Kane was sued by The Cosmopolitan casino in Las Vegas after he walked out on a half-million-dollar gambling debt. The suit alleged that Kane had received $500,000 in gambling markers from the casino in April while the Sharks were in Las Vegas for a playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights.
On January 11, 2021, Kane reportedly filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy in California after amassing $26.8 million of debt.
NHL game betting allegations
July 2021, Kane's estranged wife, Anna Kane, in an Instagram post publicly accused her husband of betting on games involving his own team, and of "throwing games with bookies to win money". The NHL announced that it would investigate the allegation.
On September 22, 2021 the NHL released its findings into the investigation into the claims and found no evidence of game betting allegations and also stated "To the contrary, the evidence raises doubts about the veracity of the allegations."
Domestic violence allegations
In September 2021 in a domestic violence restraining order application for their divorce case, Anna Kane (who had previously made the game betting allegations) accused Kane of sexual assault and multiple instances of domestic battery. Kane's attorney has denied that Kane abused her and their daughter Kensington.
Violation of NHL COVID-19 protocols
On October 5, Front Office Sports reported that the NHL was investigating claims that Kane had submitted a fake COVID-19 vaccine card as proof that he had been vaccinated. This was subsequently corroborated by The Associated Press, The Athletic, and ESPN. On October 18, 2021 the NHL suspended Kane for 21 games over the issue.
On January 8, 2022, the Sharks issued the following statement: «The San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) have informed Evander Kane that he has been placed on unconditional waivers with intent to terminate his contract for breach of his NHL Standard Player Contract and for violation of the AHL COVID-19 protocols. The Club will have no further comment on this matter.»
Whichever team signs Kane they have to understand the sort of situation they'll be getting themselves into by signing the polarizing winger.
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