Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane announced that he’s stepping down from the Hockey Diversity Alliance, a group he co-founded in 2020 with former NHL player Akim Aliu with the goal of fighting and eradicating racism from hockey.
“After careful consideration, I will be stepping away from the Hockey Diversity Alliance (HDA),” Kane wrote in his statement. “Three years ago, along with fellow founders, the Hockey Diversity Alliance was formed with its primary purpose to rid the game we all love of racism and inspire a new diverse generation of players and fans.”
“In its early days, the impact and the role of the HDA was significant,” Kane continued. “Unfortunately, my greatest concerns about our organization have come to fruition and the HDA is now being led and influenced by members with individual agendas. There has also been a combative approach with other organizations and groups that have embarked on similar goals. This is a method I do not support.”
The group responded to Kane’s announcement Friday evening, challenging some of the co-founder’s motivations for separating himself from the HDA and stating that Kane had not been involved with the organization since early 2021.
“Evander Kane has not been involved with the HDA for more than two years,” the statement read. “When he declared bankruptcy in January 2021, he was automatically disqualified from serving as a director of the HDA pursuant to the provisions of the Canadian not-for-profit corporations act, which statute governs the HDA. Since then, he has not attended meetings, nor contributed to the strategic or programmatic vision of the organization.
“We are surprised by today’s statement and unfounded reference to personal agendas, but we wish Evander well and thank him for his role in starting our organization.”
The HDA was founded in June 2020 and drew initial widespread support from the larger hockey community, with NHL players Wayne Simmonds, Matt Dumba, Trevor Daley, Chris Stewart and Joel Ward on the executive committee. After the HDA proposed a number of targets and goals to be met by the NHL that went unfulfilled, the HDA cut ties with the league in October 2020, accusing the league of embracing performative actions rather than tangible, anti-racist efforts.
Aliu and the HDA formed the Grassroots Original Hockey League, which provides free programming, ice time and equipment to hundreds of children from underrepresented communities within the Greater Toronto Area, with the goal of scaling the program upward next fall. In February, the HDA announced a partnership with Canadian Tire Corporation with the goal of increasing participation in hockey among racialized youth.
After the NHL announced the introduction of its Player Inclusion Coalition, chaired by former NHL players Anson Carter and P.K. Subban, the HDA put out a scathing statement denouncing the initiative on July 5. In the statement, the HDA said it was galling for the league to start this initiative after abandoning speciality jerseys — namely Pride jerseys — for the 2023-24 season.
