Evander Kane calls for change in hockey culture after racist Instagram comment

San Jose Sharks winger Evander Kane took to social media Wednesday to bring attention to a racist comment on a recent Instagram post and to call for change surrounding the perception of black players in the NHL.

Kane claims the "stick to basketball" comment was also shouted at him during a game in Colorado this postseason. He believes hockey is lagging behind the other three major North American leagues in terms of its focus on racism.

He also discussed the issue in 2018, telling the Mercury News: "If you don't acknowledge (the racial element) to some degree, you're living in the shadows. It's and older mentality and something that (hockey) hasn't caught up to."

In 2013 while still a member of the Winnipeg Jets, Kane said he believed the criticism he was encountering on social media was race-related.

The 28-year-old is entering his 11th NHL season. He posted 30 goals and 26 assists across 75 games in his first full campaign with the Sharks in 2018-19.