Evander Kane is being suspended for 21 games after violating the NHL’s Covid protocols. The NHL also announced that its investigation into the allegations of domestic abuse by his ex-wife “could not be substantiated.”
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The NHL wrote in their official statement:
The National Hockey League announced today that San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane has been suspended for 21 regular-season games, without pay, for an established violation of, and lack of compliance with, the NHL/NHLPA COVID-19 Protocol. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the forfeited pay goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
They also noted he won’t be available to the Sharks until San Jose’s game on Nov. 30 against the New Jersey Devils. The league added, “The National Hockey League also announced today that its concurrent investigation into allegations of domestic abuse made against Kane by his estranged wife, Deanna, could not be substantiated.”
Kane was under investigation on three separate occasions before the 2021-22 NHL season began. The first time was for allegedly gambling on his own games and NHL games. The second was over Deanna’s allegations of domestic abuse. The third was for violation COVID protocol, which reportedly included using a fake vaccination ID card.
While the allegations on gambling and domestic abuse didn’t lead to anything, the NHL takes very seriously their attempt to keep the health and safety of the players and individuals involved in the game at the highest priority. It’s no surprise the NHL came down hard on Kane for breaking the rules in regards to said safety measures.
It remains to be seen if Kane stands to get in legal trouble if he submitted a fake vaccination card. That’s considered a fairly serious offense outside the NHL as well.
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