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Evander Kane on suspension over report of fake vaccine card: 'I served my time'

Evander Kane has been in the news for all the wrong reasons during the past calendar year. He spoke to reporters on Tuesday to address myriad issues after being waived by the San Jose Sharks.

Kane cleared waivers and was assigned to the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda after serving a 21-game suspension for reportedly submitting a fake COVID-19 vaccination card. The 30-year-old tersely revealed that he is fully vaccinated during his media availability Tuesday.

“You'll have to refer to the NHL statement they put out via suspension," Kane said, as per Dalton Johnson of NBC Bay Area Sports. "I served my time, did my 21 games and now I'm back."

Kane’s agent, Dan Milstein said Monday that they’re "looking at all the options" in regards to finding a new team for his client.

Kane’s off-ice issues extend far beyond the COVID-related suspension. Kane’s estranged wife, Anna Kane, alleged that the veteran winger had bet on games involving the Sharks in order to win money from bookies. The NHL investigated Anna Kane’s allegations and found no evidence that Kane had bet on the Sharks in a September 22 statement.

Evander Kane has been left off the Sharks' opening day roster for the upcoming NHL season. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Evander Kane has cleared waivers and practiced on Tuesday with the San Jose Barracuda. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

"It was definitely not great to be associated with that at the time," Kane said. "But they investigated me heavily ... found what they found, which is nothing."

More concerning are the domestic violence allegations levied by Anna Kane against Evander Kane in a divorce filing, which include sexual assault allegations and multiple instances of domestic battery. Evander Kane obtained a temporary restraining order against Anna Kane in August, alleging that she hit him in the face over seven times.

The NHL stated on October 18 that the domestic violence allegations levied by Anna Kane against Evander Kane could not be substantiated. There’s been no further comment from the Sharks or Kane, and at the time of this filing, there hasn’t been an on-the-record follow-up from reporters.

Within the Sharks locker room, it was reported last year that Kane's teammates did not want him back with the team due to strained relationships. According to Kane, there was a "misconception" surrounding those reports and his teammate's stance toward him.

"I don't think you're going to have a group of people for ... 150, 160 days get along perfectly," Kane said on Tuesday.

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