Report: Evander Kane skipped game after incident with Jets teammates
Winnipeg Jets left wing Evander Kane did not show up to his team's game in Vancouver on Tuesday after an incident with teammates that morning, according to a report from Sportsnet.
The 23-year-old reportedly wore a track suit to a pregame meeting that day, a violation of team policy. Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien allegedly threw those clothes into the shower to send a message to Kane.
Sportsnet has reported that Kane was not on the team's bus to the arena or at a pregame meeting. TSN's Darren Dreger has said that Kane was on his way to the arena before being told to return to the team's hotel because of his tardiness.
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Kane reportedly could not be reached until an hour before game time, when he answered his cell phone and said he would not play that night. Winnipeg lost to the Canucks, 3-2, after which coach Paul Maurice said Kane's absence was a "coach's decision."
Kane did not take part in Winnipeg's practice on Thursday. After the session, Maurice said that he was meeting with team doctors. According to Sportsnet, Kane is believed to have been dealing with an injury all year and could eventually need season-ending surgery.
Kane, in his sixth year in the league, has appeared in 37 games this year. He has scored 10 goals and earned 22 points.
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The Jets, who have a 26-18-9 record so far this season, have lost their last five games. Their next game is against Chicago at home on Friday at 8 p.m. ET.
- Christopher Woody