Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
Evander Kane has been suspended from 21 regular season NHL games for violating the league’sCOVID-19protocol.
The league announced Kane’s suspensionin a press release on Monday, less than a month after allegations surfaced that heused a fake COVID-19 vaccination card.
The San Jose Sharks left winger will go without pay during his suspension, according to the NHL. He is eligible to return to the team for its Nov. 30 match against the New Jersey Devils.
“I would like to apologize to my teammates, the San Jose Sharks organization, and all Sharks fans for violating the NHL COVID protocols,” Kanesaid in a statementon Monday. “I made a mistake, one I sincerely regret and take responsibility for. During my suspension, I will continue to participate in counseling to help me make better decisions in the future. When my suspension is over, I plan to return to the ice with great effort, determination, and love for the game of hockey.”
Matt Cohen/Icon Sportswire via Getty
In Monday’s statement, the NHL also said it had concluded another investigation into allegations of domestic violence against Kane that his estranged wife madein a recent divorce filing, according to ESPN.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly newsletterto get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.
The hockey player spoke out about those claims in August,denying all allegations and offering his cooperationwith the NHL’s investigation.
“Unfortunately I would like to address the completely FALSE accusations that my estranged wife and soon to be ex wife has made against me,” he started.
“Even against the advice of my legal team I feel strongly that the public and fans hear this directly from me,” Kane continued. “I have NEVER gambled/bet on Hockey, NEVER gambled/bet on a Sharks game, NEVER gambled/bet on any of my games and NEVER thrown a hockey game.”
As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.
source: people.com
