Jet's Kane suspects social-media racism

• Tweet

WINNIPEG, Alberta, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane says he saw an element of racism in social media attacks fired his way during the recent hockey lockout.

Kane, who is black, told The Hockey News he suspects he was singled out for snarky "spoiled athlete" criticism during the lockout because he is black.

"I think a good portion of it is because I'm black and I'm not afraid to say that," Kane told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.

The CBC said Kane, 21, was shown in a photo posted on social media posing with stacks of money on the balcony of a Las Vegas hotel. The image brought out remarks about the supposed irony of a well-heeled Kane living it up while NHL players squabbled with ownership over money.

Kane also has had digital pot shots taken at him over his hipster haircut, which the CBC said was possibly a reflection of his days in urbane Atlanta before the team moved to the smaller Winnipeg.

Kane's interview Thursday with The Hockey News comes out in the publication's next edition.