NHL Player Evander Kane Suspended for Submitting Fake Vaccine Card

The National Hockey League has suspended Evander Kane for 21 games after submitting a fake covid-19 vaccination card to the league and his team, the San Jose Sharks.

The suspension will cost the ice hokey player $35,000 every day through November 28, totally about $1.68 million of his $7 million salary for this season. According to section 18-A.2 of the NHL’s CBA, players forfeit their salary for every day they are unavailable after being disciplined for off-ice conduct. The forfeited money, instead, will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

“I would like to apologize to my teammates, the San Jose Sharks organization, and all Sharks fans for violating the NHL COVID protocols,” Kane said in a statement. “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.”

Earlier this month, sources confirmed Kane was being investigated over allegations that he submitted a fake covid-19 vaccination card. Although the NHL and the NHLPA don’t have a vaccine mandate for the season, vaccinated players abide by fewer restrictions than the unvaccinated.

It’s been a rough year for Kane, as his estranged wife recently accused him of betting on NHL games, including his own games with the Sharks. However, the NHL said they found no evidence that he bet on hockey following an investigation. Kane also was being investigated for domestic abuse claims made by his estranged wife, but the NHL said that “its concurrent investigation into allegations of domestic abuse made against Kane by his estranged wife, [Anna], could not be substantiated.”