WINNIPEG — It was anything but a friendly welcome back for Evander Kane.
Fans booed, dressed up in tracksuits and cheered when Kane slipped and fell during pre-game warmups.
The former Winnipeg Jet made his first return to MTS Centre on Sunday since being traded to the Buffalo Sabres.
Kane had several controversial moments off-the-ice during his time in Winnipeg, which included posting pictures on social media of him holding stacks of money and rumoured in-fighting with teammates.
An incident last February, proved to be the final straw. Kane violated team dress code and wore a tracksuit to a game in Vancouver. Defenceman Dustin Byfuglien reportedly threw the tracksuit into a cold tub. Kane was traded to the Buffalo Sabres soon after.
Fans had less than glowing reviews of Kane’s time with the team.
“He’s a big baby. He’s got no charisma or chemistry. His ego gets in the way,” said Aidan Ritchie, a Jets fan.
“For all the fans that paid for your contract, we wish you all the best,” said Ryan Ambrozik, who work a full blue tracksuit and face paint.
Jim Toth, a Winnipeg sports analyst said Kane never endeared himself to fans, even when the relationship had broken down with the hockey club.
“There’s a lot of fans that aren’t happy with him because Winnipeg’s a working class town. And they get upset when people don’t want to be here,” Toth said.
He also predicted Kane will soon leave Buffalo for bigger markets.
“I think when he becomes a free agent, he wants to go to a big market – the L.A.s, the New Yorks, or maybe back home in Vancouver.”
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