Evander Kane Needs To Check Himself Because He’s Wrecking Himself

San Jose Sharks winger Evander Kane seems to mean well when it comes to social justice pursuits in hockey.

Anyone who isn’t willfully ignorant is aware hockey has systemic issues when it comes to racism and equal access in the sport.

Through his outspokenness over the years, Kane understands that.

Yet issues surrounding the basic pleas from women and other marginalized groups regarding humanity, safety, and accountability are historically unanswered and ignored. So where is the line when it comes to true restorative justice and someone simply being a bad guy?

Kane has a history of self-inflicted transgressions. From an allegation of sexual assault and fights to , homophobic tweets, and allegations made by his wife of gambling on NHL games, Kane has shown the need to step back and get his affairs in order.

After all, how is he going to tell the NHL to check themselves when it appears he’s already wrecking himself?

Recently, the Hockey Diversity Alliance, of which Kane is a founding board member, announced they allowed him to step away from his duties.

“We believe in due process and respect the privacy of Mr. Kane and his family,” tweeted the HDA. “In the meantime, Mr. Kane is on voluntary leave as an HDA Board Member as to not distract from our mission to eradicate systemic racism and intolerance in hockey.”

But before that, Kane addressed his wife’s allegations.   

“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,” Kane tweeted. “The facts are I personally had my best season of my career last year and was the most consistent I’ve been throughout any season, I’m proud of that. I love the game of Hockey and would never do any of what was alleged. I look forward to cooperating fully with the league’s investigation, having my name cleared and looking forward to this upcoming season.”

In a second statement, Kane said he and his wife are in the midst of a divorce and described her as “mentally unwell.”

“I love my daughter,” Kane wrote. “I will and always have taken care of my daughter in every way possible. I have always made sure her mother has had everything she’s needed and more. I have tried to de-escalate our divorce issues and be as civil and calm as anyone in this position could. I have tried to set up FaceTime calls but not every day as I would like to because of being restricted by her mom. She has refused me to see her and had unfortunately tried to use my daughter as leverage. I will continue to always take care of my family, that goes without question.”

One day, Kane will have to explain to his daughter this situation involving her mother. And as a biracial man himself, he must recognize how his words can often be weaponized against women, particularly Black women, who stand up for themselves.

Behind Gambling Amongst Marginalized People

In sports, the one thing everyone agrees on is that gambling on games an athlete plays in is taboo. The origin behind this explains it all.  

Gloria Wong-Padoongpatt, a professor at UNLV, studies mental health issues among marginalized people, particularly risk factors for addictions – mainly gambling.

“Lack of self-control, risk-taking, and competitiveness are some of the important factors explaining the reasons why initial gambling behaviors can turn into problematic gambling,” Wong-Padoongpatt told me. “When examining pathological gamblers — severe gamblers — interestingly, they actually do not expect to win. Their motives for gambling are more along with substance users and people suffering from addictions: an escape. An escape from boredom or life in general.

“When we examine problem gambling we always take into account the person’s SES (social-economic status), so…well it’s hard for me to believe that [Kane] didn’t have enough money to pay those markers. Perhaps Kane displaced his frustration — there’s a lot of psychological research on displacement of anger — and just want control over the situation. Folks get into addictions for two main reasons: boredom and life is too challenging. I’m guessing it’s the latter.”

Evander Kane seems to be in a place where helping himself first is a better, and necessary choice. He can’t attempt to fix hockey’s issues with race and access without addressing his own demons.

Hopefully, he fixes what’s broken. For if the NHL’s investigation reveals something sinister, he’s done.