After investigating and clearing Evander Kane of betting on NHL games after his estranged wife Deanna alleged he gambled on hockey in posts she made on social media, the league has found something it can bust the San Jose Sharks forward for: a fake COVID-19 vaccination card.
Kane will be suspended for 21 games without pay and will forfeit about $1.68 million of his $7 million salary for this season. Entering the fourth year of a seven-year deal, Kane will not be eligible to play until November 30 when the Sharks travel to New Jersey to take on the Devils. Kane’s forfeited salary will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
“I would like to apologize to my teammates, the San Jose Sharks organization, and all Sharks fans for violating the NHL COVID protocols,” Kane said in a statement. “I made a mistake, one I sincerely regret and take responsibility for. During my suspension, I will continue to participate in counseling to help me make better decisions in the future. When my suspension is over, I plan to return to the ice with great effort, determination, and love for the game of hockey.”
In the announcement about Kane’s suspension, the NHL also announced that allegations of sexual and physical abuse made against the 30-year-old player by his estranged wife could not be substantiated.
Following the announcement of the suspension, the Sharks also released a statement.
Kane led the Sharks in scoring last season with 22 goals and 49 points in 56 games and the Vancouver native has 506 career points (262 goals, 242 assists) with the Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres and the Sharks.
In a September interview with ESPN’s Linda Cohn, Kane, who listed $1.5 million in gambling debts owed in a January bankruptcy filing, said he “didn’t necessarily know or believe” that the Sharks didn’t want him back.
“I’ve heard rumors about me being traded,” Kane said last month. “Well, I have a [no-trade] list that they can only trade me to and I haven’t even been asked for it, so I’m not getting traded. And I would know about it first.”
In addition to being against NHL rules, using a fake vaccination card is illegal in both the United States and Canada.
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