Winnipeg Jets Evander Kane optimistic about continuing high flying streak with new team –NHL Update
Ever since his induction into the National Hockey League (NHL) as the fourth overall pick during round-one of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by Atlanta Thrashers, Evander Kane has surpassed expectations and hopes that his good luck continues with his new team,
Winnipeg Jets, as he starts afresh again in a new city with a new franchise.
At the age of 20, Kane has become one of the highest shooting youngsters in the league and the best part about him is that he realises that he has a duty to fulfil and will practically do anything to have it done. He was renewing those vows again on Thursday.
“I was drafted to score goals — I know I’m a goal scorer”, Kane said. “There’s no reason this year I’m not going to produce and build on what I did last year. You always want to get better every year, and that’s been my focus since I was eight years old
and started playing hockey”.
Wearing the number nine jersey in Winnipeg, a number which once belonged to the legendary “Golden Jet”, Bobby Hull, Kane has big shoes to fill and thinks that this will be a motivational factor unlike any other.
“This is a big year for me”, Kane said. “I’m looking forward to playing before a hockey-crazy city in front of passionate fans, playing in a big-time hockey market. It’s the last year of my contract, and we have such a good group of core guys and a solid
team”.
Entering the last season of his three-year NHL entry-level contract now with Winnipeg being relocated from Atlanta, Kane has shown consistent improvement in his performance.
After a three season performance with Western Hockey League (WHL) team, Vancouver Giants, which ultimately led to his recognition in the NHL Entry Draft, Kane has had two amazing seasons with the former Thrashers thus far.
During the 2009-2010 season, he potted 26 points (14 goals, 12 assists) in 66 games and nearly double, 43 points (19 goals, 24 assists) in 73 games the following season.
With such hope and anticipation, it would not be surprising to see the Vancouver native reaching deep into the playoffs sooner or later in his career.
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