Trending

NHL: No evidence San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane bet on games

NEW YORK — The National Hockey League announced Wednesday that there was no evidence that San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane bet on any league games.

>> Read more trending news

The allegations were made on social media on Instagram stories in late July by Kane’s wife, Anna Kane, the East Bay Times reported. The Instagram stories alleged that Kane gambled on Sharks games, the newspaper reported.

The NHL said in a statement that after an investigation, there were no instances where Evander Kane bet on NHL games or bet against his team.

“The investigation included a detailed review of social media, public data, and court filings from the bankruptcy proceeding initiated by Mr. Kane in January 2021 and his pending divorce proceeding; a review of sports betting data and analysis; and in person and virtual interviews of members of the Sharks organization and others, including Mr. Kane,” the statement read. “It should be noted that Ms. Kane refused to participate in the investigation.

“The investigation uncovered no evidence to corroborate Ms. Kane’s accusations that Mr. Kane bet or otherwise participated in gambling on NHL games, and no evidence to corroborate the allegations that Mr. Kane ‘threw’ games or did not put forward his best effort to help the Sharks win games. To the contrary, the evidence raises doubts about the veracity of the allegations.”

>> NHL to investigate allegations Sharks’ Evander Kane gambled on games

Kane, 29, is a 12-year NHL veteran who has been with the Sharks since the 2017-18 season. He scored 22 goals and had 27 assists in 56 games during the 2020-21 season.

Kane’s legal troubles continued on the domestic front, as his estranged wife accused the player of domestic violence and sexual assault, The Mercury News reported. Anna Kane, in a restraining order filed in Santa Clara County Family Court this week, states that Evander Kane had a “history of domestic violence against me” and that she “walked on eggshells for fear that he would get mad and take out his anger on me.”

“In the early part of our marriage, it was verbal abuse,” Anna Kane wrote, “but I eventually became his punching bag.”

The NHL, in its statement about the gambling investigation, also acknowledged the domestic violence allegations.

“These matters are being thoroughly investigated and the National Hockey League will have no further comment regarding their substance pending completion of that process,” the league said.

Evander Kane’s lawyer, Travis Krepelka, said his client denied the accusations.

“Evander denies ever abusing Ms. Kane or their daughter Kensington, whom he cherishes,” Krepelka told the Mercury News in an email.

Emails to the Sharks and the NHL were not returned by Wednesday afternoon, the newspaper reported.