Evander Kane facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Evander Kane
Kane with the Buffalo Sabres in 2017
Born	(1991-08-02) August 2, 1991 (age 34) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	218 lb (99 kg; 15 st 8 lb)
Position	Wing
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Vancouver Canucks Atlanta Thrashers Winnipeg Jets Dinamo Minsk Buffalo Sabres San Jose Sharks Edmonton Oilers
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	4th overall, 2009 Atlanta Thrashers
Playing career	2009–present

Evander Frank Kane (born August 2, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger. He plays for the Vancouver Canucks in the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also played for the Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks, and Edmonton Oilers. The Thrashers picked Kane fourth overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

During his time in major junior leagues, Kane won the Memorial Cup with the Vancouver Giants in 2007. He was also a top rookie in the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 2008. In 2009, he was named to the WHL West First All-Star Team. Kane also set a new record for goals in a single season for the Giants in 2008–09.

For Team Canada, Kane won gold medals at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He also played in the IIHF World Championships in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014.

Early Life and Family Background

Evander Kane was born on August 2, 1991, in Vancouver, British Columbia. His parents, Perry and Sheri Kane, named him after the famous boxer Evander Holyfield. Kane even met Holyfield when he was 18 years old.

Kane comes from a very athletic family. His father was both an amateur boxer and a hockey player. His mother played college volleyball. Kane's uncle, Leonard Kane, is in the Canadian Ball Hockey Hall of Fame. His cousin, Dwayne Provo, played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for seven years. Another cousin, Kirk Johnson, was an Olympic boxer for Canada in 1992.

Growing up in East Vancouver, Kane went to John Oliver Secondary high school. Besides hockey, he enjoyed playing baseball, basketball, and soccer. He started skating at age three and began playing minor ice hockey when he was eight. His father coached him in his early years. Kane played in the 2003 and 2004 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments. When he was 14, he scored 140 points in 66 games.

Hockey Career Highlights

Amateur Hockey Journey

Kane during the 2009 WHL playoffs

The Vancouver Giants picked Kane 19th overall in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft. He played his first WHL game on December 13, 2006. This happened because other Giants players were away for the 2007 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Kane scored his first WHL goal on March 25, 2007. He also played in five WHL playoff games and two Memorial Cup games. He even got an assist when the Giants won the 2007 Memorial Cup.

Kane joined the Giants full-time the next season. He scored 24 goals and 41 points in his first WHL season. He was nominated for the WHL rookie of the year award.

Kane had a great start to the 2008–09 season. He scored points in his first 22 games. He got his first WHL hat-trick on October 10, 2008. He was named WHL Player of the Week twice that season. Kane also played in the 2009 CHL Top Prospects Game as a captain.

He finished his second WHL season with 48 goals and 96 points. This was the fourth-highest in the league. He broke the team record for goals in a single season. Kane was named to the WHL West First Team All-Star team. In the 2009 playoffs, Kane scored a double-overtime game-winner. He had 15 points in 17 playoff games.

Professional Hockey Debut

Starting with the Thrashers and Jets (2009–2015)

The Atlanta Thrashers chose Kane fourth overall in the 2009 NHL Draft. He signed his first NHL contract on July 20, 2009.

Kane as a member of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009

Kane made the Thrashers' team right out of training camp for the 2009–10 season. He got his first NHL point in his very first game on October 3, 2009. His first goal came five days later, on October 8. He broke a bone late in his rookie season but returned to play. Kane finished his first NHL season with 14 goals and 26 points in 66 games.

In his second NHL season, 2010–11, Kane had a few minor injuries. He missed games due to a knee injury, an arm injury, and a lower-body injury. Despite this, he improved his points total to 43, with 19 goals and 24 assists.

After the Thrashers team moved, they became the Winnipeg Jets. Kane had a strong first season with the Jets in 2011–12. He led his team in scoring with 18 goals and 31 points by mid-January 2012. He later had a four-point game against the Florida Panthers. On September 15, 2012, Kane signed a six-year contract extension with the Jets.

During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Kane played for Dinamo Minsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was the first Canadian NHL player to join the KHL. After 12 games, he left the team. The team said he "could not adapt to hockey in the KHL."

In April 2014, Kane was a healthy scratch, meaning he did not play, in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. His coach said it was a team decision. In February 2015, he was again a healthy scratch against the Vancouver Canucks. This was due to an issue with his teammates.

Time with the Buffalo Sabres (2015–2018)

On February 11, 2015, the Jets traded Kane to the Buffalo Sabres. He was traded along with Zach Bogosian and the rights to Jason Kasdorf. In return, the Jets received Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, Joel Armia, Brendan Lemieux, and a draft pick. On October 14, 2016, Kane broke three ribs in the first game of the season. This happened when he crashed into the boards while battling for the puck.

Joining the San Jose Sharks (2018–2022)

As his contract was ending, the Sabres traded Kane to the San Jose Sharks on February 26, 2018. The Sharks gave up Danny O'Regan and two draft picks for him. In his first game with the Sharks, Kane had two assists. On March 16, 2018, Kane scored his first NHL hat-trick against the Calgary Flames. He even added a fourth goal in that game. Kane played 78 games that season and scored 54 points. This was his second-highest point total at that time.

On April 26, 2018, Kane was suspended for one game in the playoffs. This was for a cross-check against Vegas Golden Knights player Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. In nine playoff games, Kane scored four goals and five points. On May 24, 2018, the Sharks signed Kane to a new seven-year contract. Kane said he wanted to stay with the Sharks for his whole career.

During the 2018–19 season, Kane scored 56 points, which was his second-best career total. He also led the NHL in penalty minutes with 153.

In the 2019–20 preseason, Kane was suspended for the first three games for misbehaving towards officials. After returning, he became the first Sharks player to score a hat trick in the first period of a game. He scored another hat trick later that season against the Washington Capitals. Kane was suspended for three more games after an elbowing hit on February 14, 2020. He again led the league in penalty minutes with 122. He also scored 26 goals and 47 points, marking his fifth straight season with at least 20 goals.

On October 18, 2021, the NHL suspended Kane for 21 games for breaking team rules. After his suspension, the Sharks sent Kane to the AHL for the first time in his career. He joined the San Jose Barracuda.

On January 8, 2022, the Sharks ended Kane's contract. This was because he broke team rules in the AHL.

Playing for the Edmonton Oilers (2022–2025)

After his contract with San Jose ended, the Edmonton Oilers became interested in Kane. The Oilers needed a strong goal-scorer. On January 27, 2022, Kane signed a one-year contract with the Oilers. Oilers star Connor McDavid supported the decision to sign Kane. McDavid said it was a good chance for Kane to restart his NHL career and for the team to get a skilled player.

Kane played his first game for the Oilers on January 29, scoring the first goal in a 7–2 win. He often played on the top line with McDavid. He finished the season with 22 goals and 17 assists. The Oilers made it to the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. Kane played very well in the first round against the Los Angeles Kings. He scored his first playoff hat trick in Game 3. He finished that series with seven goals.

The Oilers then played the Calgary Flames in the second round. This was the first playoff "Battle of Alberta" in 31 years. Kane scored his second playoff hat trick in Game 3 of that series. In Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against the Colorado Avalanche, Kane received a penalty for a cross-check. The NHL suspended Kane for one game because of this.

On July 12, 2022, Kane signed a new four-year contract with the Oilers. He started the 2022–23 season with 5 goals and 8 assists in 14 games. On November 8, 2022, his wrist was cut by a skate during a game. He had surgery and was expected to miss several months. However, he recovered faster than expected and returned to play on January 17, 2023.

Kane played in the 2024–25 playoffs after recovering from surgery. He scored 2 goals in the first round against the Kings. He also got points in every series leading up to the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals. After the Oilers lost to the Florida Panthers in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, Kane did not join his teammates for the traditional handshake line.

Moving to the Vancouver Canucks (2025–present)

On June 25, 2025, Kane was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks gave up a fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft for him.

Personal Life

Evander Kane has one daughter with his ex-wife. On March 14, 2019, Kane announced that his wife had a miscarriage.

On June 8, 2020, Kane helped start the Hockey Diversity Alliance. This group works to fight intolerance and racism in hockey. On January 20, 2025, Kane attended the second inauguration of President Donald Trump.

International Play for Canada

Kane with the Canadian men's national hockey team, 2012
Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Canada
World Junior Championships
Gold	2009 Ottawa
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
Gold	2008 Pardubice

Kane played for Canada's under-18 team in the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. They won a gold medal. He had four points in four games. Later that year, Kane played for Team Canada in the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He was the youngest player on the team. Kane helped Canada win its fifth straight gold medal.

After his first NHL season, Kane joined the Canadian men's team for the 2010 IIHF World Championship. He was one of five teenagers on the team. He scored two goals and two assists in seven games. Canada finished in seventh place.

The next year, Kane played for the national team again at the 2011 IIHF World Championship. He had two assists in seven games. Canada lost in the quarterfinal again.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Bold indicates led league

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2008	Canada Pacific	U17	4th		6	4	3	7	10
2008	Canada	IH18			4	1	3	4	6
2009	Canada	WJC			6	2	4	6	2
2010	Canada	WC	7th		7	2	2	4	6
2011	Canada	WC	5th		7	0	2	2	4
2012	Canada	WC	5th		7	4	4	8	2
Junior totals					16	7	10	17	18
Senior totals					21	6	8	14	12

Awards and Honours

See also

• List of black NHL players