Vancouver Canuck Evander Kane dines with FBI director Kash Patel

Evander Kane poses with FBI director Kash Patel and fiancee Mara Teigen. (Courtesy: @evanderkane/Instagram)

New Vancouver Canuck Evander Kane had dinner with the Donald Trump-appointed director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kash Patel, while the team was in Washington, D.C., this weekend — a meetup that raised eyebrows among some fans.

The forward posted a photo of himself, fiancée Mara Teigen, and Patel on social media Saturday, with the caption “great dinner and even better company.”

Kane, who was born and raised in Vancouver, also attended Trump’s inauguration earlier this year, where he was photographed with Wayne Gretzky — who himself has drawn considerable ire from some Canadians for his friendship with the U.S. president.

A fan shared Kane’s photo with Patel on the Canucks Reddit page, asking, “is there still time to do a trade-backsies?” The post has garnered more than 800 comments, including, “I was already embarrassed to have him on the team I support but this is a new level,” and “I would hate to be on the Canucks PR team right about now.”

On Sunday, Kane posted a second Instagram story posing in front of a Canucks-branded banner with Patel, who is holding a signed jersey from the left-winger. Also in the lineup is fellow Canucks forward Conor Garland, who is American.

“Just a bunch of hockey guys,” the captions reads.

Fans were quick to express disapproval at the two players standing with a Trump loyalist in front of the logo for a local team, given the president’s tariffs and frequent comments about wanting Canada to become the “51st state.”

“I think most know where many players sit politically. Would rather not to have to see it with their s*** eating grins and our team logo in the background,” one commenter wrote on Reddit. “Have some class and know who you are representing.”

“Highly disappointing to see this in front of the team logo. Have lost respect for Kane and Garland. Keep the politics away from the team,” another wrote.

CTV News has reached out to the Vancouver Canucks for comment and will update this story if a response is received.

The Canucks’ decision to acquire Kane from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick this summer was polarizing, as off-ice incidents have made him a controversial figure through his 16-year NHL career.

When he addressed the media as a Canuck for the first time in June, Kane said he had grown as a person over the years.

“Am I a new guy? No, I’m the same guy,” he said at the time. “I think, you know, if you’re not improving in all aspects of your life, you’re probably not where you want to be.”

The Canucks ultimately came out on top in Washington on Sunday, winning 4-3 against the Capitals. Kane registered one assist during the game, and Garland two.

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With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Ben Miljure