Followers of the NHL and hockey fans everywhere already know the name Patrick Kane, the Chicago Blackhawks superstar. Being drafted first overall and scoring a Stanley Cup clinching goal will do that for a player. However there is another Kane starting to make waves throughout the NHL and with it’s fan base. Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane is in his 3rd NHL season and is in the process of producing his best season to date. The Atlanta Thrashers drafted Kane 4th overall in the 2009 entry draft behind household names John Tavares (Islanders), Victor Hedman (Tamps Bay) and Matt Duchene (Colorado). In the Fall of 2009 Kane earned a spot on the Thrashers roster and has been a fixture there ever since.
Evander Kane was born on August 2nd, 1991 in Vancouver B.C. to parents Perry and Sheri Kane. Named after boxing great Evander Holyfield, whom he met at the age of 18, the 6’2″ 195 pound forward turned a successful WHL career with the Vancouver Giants into a high pick at the 2009 draft. The Giants selected Kane with the 19th pick of the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft and during the 06-07 season Evander played 8 regular season and 5 playoff games for the club. At the 2007 Memorial Cup, Kane appeared in 2 games for the eventual CHL champions.
The 2008-2009 season saw Evander Kane make Canada’s World Junior team as an injury replacement when Dana Tyrell was hurt in a pre tournament game. As the tournament went on Evander’s play improved and he finished up with 6 points in 6 games and a gold medal. Upon returning to Vancouver, Kane stayed hot and set the franchise mark for goals in a season with 48 and ended up 4th overall in league scoring with 96 points.
After being drafted by the Thrasher’s, Evander Kane made the jump straight from Junior to the NHL and his statistics have improved each year . During his rookie season Kane put up 14 goals and 26 points, last season’s number’s improved to 19 goals and 43 points. After year 2, the Atlanta Thrasher’s were sold to a group in Winnipeg and the Jets were back in the NHL. Evander Kane and young goaltender Ondrej Pavelec appear to be the building blocks for the Jets future and it will be on their backs if they are to qualify for post season play. As of March 6th Kane has 26 goals and 46 points in 59 games to sit second on the team in points and first in goals.
The Jets currently sit in the last playoff spot in the east just 3 points ahead of 9th, however they trail the Florida Panthers by only 2 points for the division lead. Winnipeg will need Kane to continue his strong play and maintain his 32 goal pace if they are to reach the playoffs for a second time as a franchise. The Thrasher lost to the Rangers in 4 straight games during the 07 playoffs. With 15 games remaining, only 7 are against teams currently in playoff position and divisional games against Florida (Apr 3), Washington (Mar 16 & 23) and Tampa Bay (Mar 31 & Apr 7) will go a long way in determining the fate of Kane and the Jets.
Whether or not the Jets make the playoffs this season, the future is still bright in Winnipeg. With a very loyal and boisterous fan base and young players like Kane on the roster, team success is only a matter of time.
KEY WORDS: Evander Kane, Winnipeg Jets, Atlanta Thrashers, NHL, WHL, Vancouver Giants