Evander Kane says some of the criticism he receives is because of his race.
The Winnipeg Jets forward made the comments for a story in an upcoming edition of the Hockey News Magazine, due out early next month.
“A good portion of it is because I’m black and I’m not afraid to say that,” Kane told the interviewer, according to the Twitter feed of Hockey News editor in chief, Jason Kay.
The publication will feature Kane and Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane addressing the off-ice controversy that’s dogged them early in their careers.
Since coming to Winnipeg from Atlanta, Evander Kane has been the subject of criticism in both social and mainstream media regarding rumours of unpaid restaurant bills, an alleged bar-room fight and his supposed desire to be traded.
During the recent lockout, he drew negative attention by posting a picture of himself on Twitter holding stacks of cash on a Las Vegas hotel room balcony.
