Jets forward Evander Kane says he faces some criticism because he's black

WINNIPEG - Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane can take criticism for what he does on the ice but credits some of what he hears regarding his off-ice behaviour to his skin colour.

"In terms of hockey criticism, that comes with the territory," Kane, who is black, said Thursday. "If I'm responsible for anything off-ice, I'm more than willing to accept that as well but when it goes unwarranted, you kind of get sick and tired a little bit."

Kane has been criticized for a picture posted on Twitter that showed him holding a wad of cash as well as a haircut with a message cut into the back of his head.

"The money picture and the haircuts, I mean, I've said it before and I'll say it again, if that's going to ruin your day . . . it's really not a concern of mine," he said. "My concern is to play hockey.

"I don't go out to try and hurt other people in terms of my personal life. I think I'm a pretty good guy and I do what I can to help people out."

Kane was explaining comments he made in the latest issue of The Hockey News that attributed some of the criticism he faces to the fact he's black.

But Kane also said he's only referring to what has been said in social media and not anything he's countered personally.