The Chicago Blackhawks leaned on veteran Patrick Kane to lift them to victory for so many years, and many times Kane delivered, but now Kane fueled another team to victory, this time against the Blackhawks.
Kane played in Chicago for the first time since the team traded him to the New York Rangers a year ago. Now a part of the Detroit Red Wings, whom he signed with during free agency, the 35-year old Kane notched a goal and an assist in front of 21,141 appreciative fans at the United Center who celebrated his return and honored his impact on their team.
Kane had 446 goals and 779 assists in 1,161 regular-season games with his first NHL team, the Blackhawks.
“Just a lot of emotions right now, scoring that goal, being back here, being on a different team,” Kane said, according to ESPN. “Just tried to show the fans there at the end they’ll always have my heart here.”
Kane’s return wasn’t the only event of the evening as the Blackhawks officially retired Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Chelios’ No. 7 jersey in a pregame ceremony, and Chelios mentioned Kane during his speech.
“That jersey looks kind of funny, Kaner, but it’ll grow on you,” he said. “And don’t worry, it’ll work out in the end. You’ll be standing here, same as me.”
“Just so special. You don’t expect anything less from the Blackhawks with the tribute,” Kane said. “Didn’t know if I did enough laps or too many laps. The guys kept telling me to go for another one, go for another one. Some of them wanted to see four, I only did three. It was great.”
Kane also spoke about joining the Red Wings.
“It’s been great. I have nothing but positive feelings and emotions being here,” Kane said of his new team. “Really enjoyed my time here. I think the group’s been great, the coaching staff, everyone just giving me the chance to come in here and fit in and find my game.”
Kane will always be associated with the epic run of success that the Blackhawks experienced while he played in Chicago.
“When you go through it, you don’t realize how lucky and appreciative you can be,” Kane said. “But, man, I mean we had some players on that team and, you know, I think the great thing about that team is we were really close as a group, but there was a lot of inner competition, too.”
“It was a great run,” Kane said. “I think we were kind of at the point in time when it was, I think for the organization and myself, it was probably good to start fresh and just enjoy something different.”
