Kane among Barracuda players in AHL protocol

The San Jose Barracuda’s Evander Kane, Jasper Weatherby and Nick Cicek were placed in the AHL’s COVID-19 protocol on Wednesday.

Weatherby, a rookie center, had just been assigned by the Sharks to the AHL on Monday and he and Cicek both had an assist in the Barracuda’s 4-1 win over the host Colorado Eagles on Tuesday. It was Weatherby’s first AHL game after he made the Sharks’ roster out of training camp and spent the first two months of the regular season in the NHL.

Kane has eight points in five games with the Barracuda. He did not travel with the team to Colorado after its game in San Diego on Saturday.

Per AHL protocols, players who test positive must isolate for 10 days after symptoms first appear. If asymptomatic, a player can continue to be tested daily and would be subject to an early exit from isolation with two consecutive negative PCR tests.

In its news release, the Barracuda said players and staff members are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and in compliance with the AHL’s testing and guidance protocols. A Barracuda spokesman said Wednesday that Weatherby and Cicek will be driven back to San Jose.

Kane, 30, in October was suspended for 21 games without pay for a violation of the NHL/ NHLPA COVID-19 protocol. Kane was investigated by the league over allegations he submitted a fake COVID-19 vaccination card to the NHL and the Sharks.

In a statement after the suspension was announced, Kane admitted he made a mistake with his protocol violation and apologized. He said earlier this month after his first practice with the

Barracuda that he was fully vaccinated. Weatherby, 23, is the fourth Sharks player to enter the protocol. Last Friday, defenseman Brent Burns tested positive and on Tuesday, forwards Tomas Hertl and Jonathan Dahlen also entered NHL protocol.