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 33) 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	Edmonton Oilers Atlanta Thrashers Winnipeg Jets Dinamo Minsk Buffalo Sabres San Jose Sharks
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 player. He plays as a winger for the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Before joining the Oilers, he played for the Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, and San Jose Sharks. 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 finalist for the WHL rookie of the year award in 2008. In 2009, he was named to the WHL West First All-Star Team. Kane also set a record for the most goals in a single season for the Giants in 2008–09.

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

Evander Kane's Early Life and Family

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

Kane comes from a very athletic family. His father was an amateur boxer and also played hockey. His mother was a college volleyball player. 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 a boxer who competed for Canada in the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Growing up in East Vancouver, Kane went to John Oliver Secondary high school. Besides hockey, he also played 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 Tournament. When he was 14, he scored 140 points in 66 games with the bantam North Shore Winter Club.

Evander Kane's Hockey Journey

Amateur Hockey Career

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. He scored his first WHL goal on March 25, 2007, in the last game of the regular season. He also played in five WHL playoff games and two Memorial Cup games, helping the Giants win the 2007 Memorial Cup.

In his first full season with the Giants (2007–08), Kane scored 24 goals and 41 points. He finished tenth in rookie scoring. He was nominated for the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as WHL rookie of the year.

Kane had a great start to the 2008–09 season. He scored at least one point 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. He also joined Team Canada for the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and won a gold medal.

Kane 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. He was also named to the WHL West First Team All-Star. In the 2009 playoffs, Kane scored a double-overtime game-winner in one game. He finished the playoffs with 15 points in 17 games.

Professional Hockey Career

Atlanta Thrashers and Winnipeg Jets (2009–2015)

Kane as a member of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009

The Atlanta Thrashers chose Kane fourth overall in the 2009 NHL Draft. He signed a contract with them on July 20, 2009. Kane made the Thrashers' team right out of his first NHL training camp. He got his first NHL point in his first game on October 3, 2009. Five days later, he scored his first goal against the St. Louis Blues. He finished his rookie season with 14 goals and 26 points in 66 games.

In his second NHL season (2010–11), Kane had some minor injuries. He missed nine games in total. Still, he improved his points total to 43, with 19 goals and 24 assists. He was fifth in team scoring.

After the 2010–11 season, the Thrashers team was bought and moved. They became the new Winnipeg Jets. Kane had a good first season with the Jets, leading his team in scoring with 18 goals and 31 points by mid-January 2012. He signed a six-year contract extension with the Jets on September 15, 2012.

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 sign with the KHL. However, after 12 games, he left the team.

Kane with the Jets in November 2014, his final season with the franchise.

In April 2014, Kane was a healthy scratch (meaning he didn't play even though he wasn't injured) in a game. This was a coach's decision. In February 2015, he was a healthy scratch again due to team decisions.

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.

San Jose Sharks (2018–2022)

Before the 2018 trade deadline, the Sabres traded Kane to the San Jose Sharks. This happened on February 26, 2018. The Sharks sent Danny O'Regan and two draft picks to the Sabres. 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 in the 2017-18 season, scoring 54 points. This was his most games played in a season and his second-highest point total.

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

During the 2018–19 season, Kane scored 56 points, which was his second-highest 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 issues with 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 games in February 2020 after an elbowing hit. He led the league in penalty minutes again with 122 and scored 26 goals and 47 points. This was his fifth season in a row with at least 20 goals.

On October 18, 2021, Kane was suspended by the NHL for the first 21 games of the season due to issues with league guidelines. 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 due to issues with team guidelines.

Edmonton Oilers (2022–present)

After his contract with the Sharks ended, the Edmonton Oilers became interested in signing Kane. The Oilers were looking to improve their team. On January 27, 2022, Kane signed a one-year contract with the Oilers. Oilers star Connor McDavid defended the decision to sign Kane. He said Kane could help the team and it was a chance for Kane to restart his NHL career.

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 was very good 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, Kane was suspended for one game for a cross-check that injured an opponent.

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

Evander Kane's Life Outside Hockey

Evander Kane and his ex-wife have one daughter.

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

International Play

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 in the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and won a gold medal with Canada's under-18 team. 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. He helped Canada win its fifth straight gold medal.

After his first NHL season, Kane was chosen to play for the Canadian men's team at the 2010 IIHF World Championship in Germany. He was one of five teenagers on the team. He finished the tournament with 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 in Slovakia. 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