Former Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane has signed a new deal overseas, agreeing to terms with Sibir of the KHL on Tuesday. This marks a return to the Russian league for Kane, who previously played for Dinamo Minsk during the 2012-13 NHL lockout.
Career Moves and Recent Performance
The transition to the KHL comes as a surprise because the 35-year-old athlete, selected fourth overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009, reportedly received multiple offers to stay in North America. It remains unconfirmed whether those proposals were for NHL contracts, minor-league deals in the AHL or ECHL, or other opportunities.
Kane spent his most recent season playing for his hometown Vancouver Canucks, where he recorded 13 goals and 18 assists for a total of 31 points across 71 games.
Off-Ice Challenges and Controversy
Throughout his professional career, Kane has faced various off-ice challenges, including enduring reports of locker room conflicts. This past September, former teammate Kurtis Gabriel characterized Kane as habitually late to team meetings and routinely unprofessional in his attire. Gabriel further labeled him a bully who utilized his physical toughness to intimidate teammates.
Addressing the claims on social media, Kane posted a cryptic message stating he anticipates the day he shares his own perspective backed by facts and receipts, while noting that others have grown too comfortable relying on his silence. Between 2013 and 2021, Kane also dealt with legal controversies, gambling-related debt and bankruptcy, and an NHL investigation into match-fixing that ultimately cleared him of betting on games.
Kane now prepares to continue his career in Russia, competing against some of the top talent available in the country.
