Kane, Hockey Legend: New Points Leader for US-Born Players

DETROIT – Patrick Kane smiled. The wait is over. Kane became the US-born player with the most points in NHL history, surpassing Mike Modano with an assist for his 1,375th point on Thursday night for the Detroit Red Wings against the Washington Capitals.

It’s good to have it finished somehow and worry about the rest of the season.

Patrick Kane

Kane passed the puck from the boards to Alex DeBrincat in the left circle, and DeBrincat assisted Ben Chiarot for a tying goal from the blue line midway through the second period. Kane flashed a smile and embraced Chiarot. He was surrounded by his teammates, including those who emptied the bench to join in a brief celebration. As Kane skated away, the spotlight turned to him, and he raised his stick to salute the crowd as he appeared to be on the verge of tears. Her image was displayed on the video screens at Little Caesars Arena with an American flag in the background and the number 1,375. Modano held the record for more than 18 years. Kane reached the milestone a couple of months after turning 37, while Modano was 40 when he scored a goal to register point number 1,374, surpassing Phil Housley.

I knew from an early age in your career that it would be you who would chase this number and here we are. Continue and make this number more difficult for the next one.

Mike Modano

Kane has been one of the faces of American hockey since he was selected with the first pick in the 2007 draft by Chicago. He helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup three times between 2010 and 2015 as a co-star of one of the most successful runs since the league’s salary cap era began in 2005.

When you think of USA Hockey, he’s one of the first players that comes to mind, if not the first player. A great representation of USA Hockey and us Americans, something that many of the guys who came after him should strive for, including myself.

Jack Eichel

The American-born defenseman Charlie McAvoy recalled watching Kane in those long runs “do things that people weren’t doing at the time.”

His type of player simply transcends now, when back then there was no one really doing that. He changed the game of hockey. He’s an absolute legend. And it’s great that he’s American.

Charlie McAvoy

At the beginning of this month, Kane became the 50th player and the fifth American to score 500 goals, following Keith Tkachuk, Jeremy Roenick, and Joe Mullen. Brett Hull, a dual citizen who was born in Canada and played internationally for the United States, had 741 goals and 1,391 points.

He is on his way to being the best player in the United States of all time.

Jack Hughes

Kane won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2007-08, the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2013, and the Hart Trophy as regular season MVP in 2015-16, when he also led the league in scoring.

Such an iconic player, he simply played with so much passion. Very enthusiastic, he loved scoring goals, he loved making plays.

Tage Thompson

Kane’s skillful hands more than made up for the fact that he was smaller, at 5 feet 10 inches and under 180 pounds.

Maybe he has the best highlight reel of all time. As a kid, you watch all his videos and everything, and you think, that’s the guy you want to be just because of how skilled he is.

Jack Hughes