We are learning new details about why the NHL is investigating San Jose Sharks’ forward Evander Kane. Earlier this week, we learned that Kane is accused of violating the league’s COVID-19 protocol.
What’s interesting about these new details is that the league has possibly gone back and rewritten history. Give credit to The Mercury News’ Curtis Pashelka, who pointed out on Twitter that the initial statement the league released on Sept. 22 following its investigation into allegations that Kane gambled on NHL games is now different than the one the NHL has online:
Did the NHL edit its initial news release about E. Kane when it cleared him of gambling allegations? You tell me.
The first photo is of the last 3 paragraphs of the email that was sent out at 3:34 p.m. (PT) on Sept 22. The second is of the news release as it now reads online pic.twitter.com/VPEacizMai— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) September 28, 2021
The statement released by the NHL following its investigation read:
Additional unrelated allegations, however, involving potential wrongdoing by Mr. Kane have been brought to our attention. These allegations are being thoroughly investigated and the National Hockey League will have no further comment regarding their substance pending completion of that process.
However, in the release currently online, that paragraph has changed to:
During the course of this investigation, however, two additional matters were brought to our attention which we feel require further investigation and study. Both allege potential wrongdoing by Mr. Kane, one involving serious accusations relating to his past behavior toward Ms. Kane and the other involving allegations of inappropriate behavior potentially jeopardizing the health and safety of Club members. These matters are being thoroughly investigated and the National Hockey League will have no further comment regarding their substance pending completion of that process.
Many people believed that the initial statement stemmed from court documents filed on behalf of Anna Kane in which she alleged Kane sexually and physically abused her. The documents were filed as part of the ongoing divorce proceedings between the couple.
However, the change in wording now alleges that Kane also put his teammates or Sharks’ staff at risk by violating COVID-19 protocol.
The NHL is investigating Evander Kane for a possible violation of league COVID protocols, sources tell @FriedgeHNIC, though details regarding the nature of the possible violation are unknown at this time.https://t.co/nLeR8VAq2r
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 28, 2021
Kevin Kurz, the Sharks beat reporter for The Athletic, received clarification from the league about the discrepancy in the two news releases. The NHL says the current release online is the accurate one.
Regarding the discrepancy in the league statements about Evander Kane — I’m told that the correct version is the one currently online, which references “two additional matters” that are unrelated to the gambling investigation, in which he was cleared:https://t.co/WXkMpxzcLU
— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) September 28, 2021
All of this new information comes less than a week after the NHL cleared Kane of allegations that he gambled on NHL games.
The Sharks are in the midst of the 2021 preseason and training camp. Kane has not participated in camp so far and is not expected to return until the conclusion of the NHL’s investigations.
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