NEW: NHL Suspends Sharks' Evander Kane for 21 Games for Submitting Fake Covid Vaccine Card

Evander Kane, one of the NHL’s few black players has been suspended for 21 games for submitting a fake Covid vaccine card, according to Sportsnet.

A decision that will cost him about $1.68 million in pay.

“San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane has been suspended for 21 regular-season games without pay, for an established violation of, and lack of compliance with, the NHL/NHLPA Covid-19 Protocol. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the forfeited pay goes to the Player’s Emergency Assistance Fund,” the NHL said in a statement.

The NHL also announced Monday that a separate investigation into allegations of domestic abuse against Kane by his estranged wife could not be substantiated.

The @NHL announced today that @SanJoseSharks forward Evander Kane has been suspended for 21 regular-season games. https://t.co/2gGoptPkdV pic.twitter.com/U8HiGHKXdm

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 18, 2021

Evander Kane said he will seek counseling to help him “make better decisions in the future.”

“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 released by the NHLPA. “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.”

According to Sportsnet, Evander Kane will forfeit about $1.68 million of his $7 million salary.