Chicago The audience became louder with each lap as Patrick Kane lifted his stick and skated to the middle of the ice three times. Play resumed, and the applause simply continued growing as Kane appeared on the overhead video board.
Showtime was back, and nobody seemed to mind that he currently plays for one of Chicago’s bitter rivals.
Sunday marked Kane’s first game back in Chicago with the Detroit Red Wings against the Blackhawks since his trade to the New York Rangers a year ago. With his first NHL squad, the 35-year-old winger, known by his flashy nickname Showtime, had 779 assists and 446 goals in 1,161 regular-season games.
Kane delivered, just like he’s done countless times before. In Detroit’s 3-2 triumph, he finished on a breakaway 1:43 into overtime with a goal and an assist. With his arms raised in celebration of his winner, Kane called out, “Showtime!” to the cheers of the 21,141 spectators at United Center, the largest crowd of the season.
After an eight-game points streak, Kane, who has five goals and seven assists, said, “Just a lot of emotions right now, scoring that goal, being back here, being on a different team.” “Just tried to show the fans there at the end they’ll always have my heart here.”
In a pregame ceremony, the Blackhawks retired defenseman Chris Chelios’ No. 7 jersey in honour of him, coinciding with Kane’s return to Chicago. Over his playing career, Chelios also spent time with the Red Wings.
Speaking about Kane, Chelios said that the Buffalo native would always be remembered as the best player to be born in the United States in the history of hockey.
That set out the first of many loud cheers at the United Center. When Kane’s starting lineup for Detroit was revealed, there was again another loud applause.
During the first television timeout of the first period, the Blackhawks played a tribute video. Even before the video began, the audience began to applaud, and they continued to do so while Kane waved repeatedly, occasionally grinning sheepishly.
Simply amazing. With the homage, you wouldn’t expect anything less from the Blackhawks,” added Kane. I was unsure whether I had completed enough or too many laps. The guys would not stop telling me to try again, to try again. I only showed them three, but some of them asked to see four. It was excellent.”
After Kane’s final season with the Rangers, he became a free agent. Before signing accompanying Detroit in November, he saw modern resurfacing abscission in June and gone occasion becoming methodical. In welcome 27 tricks accompanying the Red Wings, he has 12 aims and 16 assists.
It’s been excellent. “I’m feeling great and happy to be here,” he remarked of moving to Detroit. I had a great time while I was here. I believe everyone here has been fantastic—the group, the coaches, and even just allowing me to come in, fit in, and discover my game.”
Chicago chose Kane as the first overall pick in the 2007 draft. He made an instant impression, taking home the Calder Trophy as the NHL Rookie of the Year in 2007–08 with 21 goals and 51 assists.
This was just the start. With the support of defenseman Duncan Keith, Jonathan Toews, and forward Kane, the Blackhawks had their excellent arrest group experiences, triumphant in the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013, and 2015. In 2014, Chicago state-of-the-art to the Western Conference Final but was beaten in a seven-game order by one Los Angeles Kings.
“When you search it, you forbiddance accomplish in what way or manner fortunate and understanding you maybe,” Kane interpreted. “But, fellow, I mean we had few performers at which point crew and, you see, I remember the excellent fear that group is we were genuinely close all at once, but skilled was plenty central contest, also.”
The Blackhawks have not been doing well lately, and to make last year’s deal with New York possible, Kane waived a no-movement clause in his contract.