Patrick Kane made history on Thrusday night breaking Mike Modano’s record for points by an American-born hockey player.
Patrick Kane added yet another achievement to his overflowing mantle of accomplishments Thursday night in Detroit.
With an assist on a second-period goal by Red Wings defenseman Ben Chiarot, Kane registered point 1,375 of his illustrious career, passing Mike Modano for the most points ever scored by an American-born player. It was yet another crowning moment in an accolade-filled career for the man they call “Showtime.”
Kane made history earlier in the month when he became the 50th player in NHL history to score 500 goals. Kane’s 1,375 points are made up of 500 goals and 875 assists. His 875 assists are the 24th most in NHL history and the second most by an American-born player.
The 37-year-old spent the first 16 seasons of his career with the Blackhawks, after Chicago drafted him first overall in the 2007 NHL Draft. Kane tallied 1,225 points with Chicago before he was traded to the New York Rangers during the 2022-23 season. Kane registered 12 points in 19 games with New York before signing with the Detroit Red Wings following the season. Kaner is now in year 3 with Detroit, where he has tallied 138 points in 162 games in a Red Wings sweater.
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With the all-time point leader on his resume, Kane now officially solidifies himself as the greatest American-born player in NHL history. That scoring title goes alongside 3 Stanley Cups, a Calder Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, and Hart Memorial Trophy. Not too shabby for an undersized kid from Buffalo.
The legend of “Showtime” continues to grow. Anytime Kane has had a signature moment, he has found a way to top it. Hell, he scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in overtime as a 21-year-old. However, that was merely the beginning of the legend. Whether it was scoring a hat-trick in overtime to win the Western Conference in 2013 or putting the game on ice to give his team a 2-0 lead in a cup clinching game in 2015, Kane has always had a flair for the dramatic.
The theatrics didn’t stop when he got older. The light didn’t stop burning when he left Chicago and put the winged wheel on either. In Kane’s first trip back to Chicago since leaving the Blackhawks, Kane stole what was supposed to be fellow American Chris Chelios’ night, as Chicago was retiring his number ‘7’ before the game. It was like he had one last trick up his sleeve for Chicago fans, even after he was gone.
Chelios couldn’t help but mention Kane in his speech before his number ‘7’ rafter was hoisted to the United Center rafters. ‘This guy will go down as the greatest American-born player,” Chelios proclaimed to a roar of cheers from the United Center faithful. “That jersey looks kind of funny, Kaner, but it’ll grow on you. Don’t worry, it’ll all work out in the end, you’ll be standing here, same as me.”
Chelios then joked to Kane, “Don’t go stealing my thunder today.” Some might call those Chelios’ famous last words, because “Showtime” doesn’t know how to do anything differently. The Hawks and Wings went to overtime, and Chicago fans just kind of knew what was about to happen. Kane found himself on a breakaway, and this sentence doesn’t need to keep going for you to know he scored.
It was the first and maybe only time you will ever see Blackhawks fans cheer for an opposing player’s goal, no less a Red Wing. These are the moments that Patrick Kane was born for. When the lights shine brightest, Patrick Kane always steps up. When Chris Chelios put a Red Wings jersey on, it took Chicago over 20 years to forgive him. When Kane did it, he was given a hero’s welcome, even after beating the Blackhawks.
Kane now has the points record for Americans, but frankly, it was never about that. Kaner was the greatest American-born player with or without that record. If your team needed to win one game and you needed one goal, there aren’t many players you would pick above Patrick Kane. When you needed him most, “Showtime” always delivered.