Congratulations to San Jose Sharks Forward Evander Kane
Congratulations to San Jose Sharks Forward Evander Kane for being nominated for the 2020 King Clancy Memorial Trophy! We are so grateful for the work you do for Loaves & Fishes and throughout our community! BRAVO!
SAN JOSE, CA - The San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) announced today that forward Evander Kane (@evanderkane_9) has been nominated for the 2020 King Clancy Memorial Trophy. The award is given annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.
The winner is chosen by a committee of senior NHL executives led by Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.
Kane, 28, in his third season with the San Jose Sharks served as the team's Hockey is For Everyone ambassador, a role he has held since 2018. Hockey is For Everyone is a National Hockey League initiative focused on diversity and inclusion in the game.
As one of just 30 Black hockey players in the NHL, Kane has taken on a responsibility to be at the forefront of positive social change within the sport. He recently co-founded the Hockey Diversity Alliance, an independent group of active and retired Black hockey players that are working to "eradicate racism and intolerance in hockey." He uses his platform to be outspoken about racial injustice and police brutality, including appearing on NBC Sports Bay Area's Race in America: A Candid Conversation and participating in panel discussions such as the SAP Speaker Series: A Conversation of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion.
During the 2019-20 season, Kane spearheaded a visit to Oakland Ice Center, an area of California and Sharks Territory that receives less attention and is diverse in terms of race and socio-economic status. While in Oakland, he visited students at Westlake Middle School where he introduced the after-school program to street hockey and presented the school with a set of donated, new gear so they could continue to play and learn the game. After, he went to the Oakland Ice Center and coached a practice for youth boys, girls, special and sled hockey players. He is only the second Sharks player to visit Oakland Ice, and the first visit since 2011.
Furthermore, during the holiday season, Kane asked the Sharks to assist him in serving the homeless. The Sharks Foundation facilitated a meal service at Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen where he distributed a hot meal, bag lunches and $4,625 in grocery gift cards to nearly 185 people in just two hours.
Additional contributions to the community and his focus on diversity and inclusion include:
Participation in the Foundation's annual Holiday Assist Party
Sampling with the Sharks: in just two seasons Kane has raised $56,000 with his auction packages
One Step Sharks: Kane led a jersey unveiling and practice event where he surprised the Sharks newly sponsored special hockey team
Participation in the Special Olympics Northern California Floor Hockey Program's floor hockey game
Wee Explore PlaySpace in the Children's Center of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. San Jose Public Library: Kane led a story time for 300 youth and parent guests as part of the Foundation's largest Community Assist Grant in which the Foundation unveiled the new space for children.
NHL Black History Mobile Museum: Kane hosted a walk-thru with a group of 20 youth who are served by the San Jose African American Community Services Agency.
On the ice, the six-foot-two, 210-pound native of Vancouver, British Columbia registered 26 goals, 21 assists and 47 points. He was first on the Sharks in goals, power-play goals (14) and power-play points (18) and was second in points.