Photo credit: Vancouver Canucks
Evander Kane‘s former junior hockey coach had some high praise for the new Vancouver Canucks forward as he heads into his first season with his hometown club.A little over three weeks ago, the Vancouver Canucks made a bit of a splash on the trade market when Patrik Allvin dealt a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for nine-time 20+ goal scorer Evander Kane, who is coming off back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final.
By adding Evander Kane to the roster, it gives Head Coach Adam Foote not only just some sandpaper in his top-six, but someone who can contribute offensively, play on the second powerplay unit and possibly even the penalty kill.
While the perception of Evander Kane by other fans around the National Hockey League isn’t great, the 33-year-old is someone that coaches loving having on their team, especially his old junior coach Don Hay, who was full of praise for the forward in a recent interview.
Evander Kane’s former junior coach full of praise for him ahead of first season in Vancouver
In a recent interview with Ben Kuzma of The Province, former junior hockey coach Don Hay, who was the long-time bench boss for the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, opened up about what it was like to have Evander Kane on his team.
Hay said that Evander Kane was very coachable during their time together and one thing he really liked about him when they are together on the Giants was his competitiveness night in, night out.
“As a coach, you have to be stubborn, and he was coachable. But I was firm and direct with him and he responded to that. He was suited for me and I was suited for him at that stage of his career. He believes in himself and what he brings. That’s the biggest thing. He might rub some people the wrong way, but I really admire his competitiveness.” Hay said.
Kane performed very well during his final season with Don Hay and the Giants, registering 96 points in 61 games, which boosted his draft stock and saw him go fourth overall to the Atlanta Thrashers, where he’d spend the first two seasons of his career before relocating with them to Winnipeg.
Throughout his 16 years in the National Hockey League, Kane has proven that he can be a strong offensive player and can chip in a goal whenever his team needs it and he’s also not afraid to get into the dirty areas, play physical and stand up for his teammates.
When Hay was asked what type of player the Vancouver Canucks will be adding to their roster, he once again highlighted Kane’s competitiveness and that he plays very hard, something that the team needs badly, especially within their top-six.
“A real competitive player who loves to score goals. I don’t think he has changed from when he was young. He plays a hard and physical game and goes to the real tough areas to compete for the puck. And he’s a shooter. He’s going to really complement their team.” Hay said.
Vancouver Canucks fans are eagerly awaiting the start of training camp and pre-season games so they can see Evander Kane in action, with the hometown guy set to make his official debut during the team’s 2025-26 regular season opener on Thursday, October 9th against the Calgary Flames.
Previously on CanucksDaily
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Evander Kane’s Former Coach Reveals What the Canucks Are Really Getting with Their Controversial New Forward
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