“The fans there are unbelievable. During our playoffs and some tough times, I always felt their support. So I’m looking forward to going back and spending time with them. I’m not sure what to expect or what’s going to happen, but it’s going to be a fun night,” Kane told The Athletic website.
For the first time ever, in an overseas competition, he will appear in the United Center not as a Blackhawks player, but as an opponent. A warm reception is expected, the club is also preparing a video compilation for him with the best moments.
Detroit’s forward Patrick Kane celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Philadelphia.
“He had a great time here. I’ve seen every video of his actions about a hundred times,” forward Connor Bedard made no secret of his sympathy. “He’s a hockey icon and still plays at an elite level,” added the 2023 No. 1 pick.
The 18-year-old striker took over the position of club star after Kane’s departure. “I think it’s good for the league that it’s in Chicago. He can really develop there and become an excellent player,” said Kane.
His longtime partner and another club icon, Jonathan Toews, who has been the captain since the 2008/2009 season and is currently a free agent, is also looking forward to his return: “He was as loyal to the Blackhawks as you can be. I hope he enjoys the night. I’m sure he’ll get a great reception from the fans.”
Kane will return to familiar surroundings, but he won’t meet too many familiar faces. The staff has gone through a big change, it has become significantly younger. Toews and other former teammates are no longer with Chicago.
“If you look at the club, a lot has changed from the owner to the general manager. I know the implementation team and several players. The fans are obviously the same, but it almost feels like a different organization in some ways,” Kane described.
He will thus have the greatest connection from his time in Chicago with his current teammate Alex DeBrincat.
“I think the Red Wings jersey fits him a little better than the Rangers. But when you think of Patrick Kane, you think of the Blackhawks. He left a legacy there, even in the years to come it will still be weird to see him in another jersey,” explained DeBrincat, who played five seasons with Kane at Illinois State.
Alex Debrincat taps with teammate Patrick Kane.
Thirty-five-year-old Kane was drafted first overall by Chicago in 2007. During his sixteen years with the club, he won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015. In the 2015/2016 season, he dominated the Canadian scoring competition with 106 points.
Few could imagine the American striker in another team. Almost exactly a year ago, he transferred to the New York Rangers, although he did not resist re-signing the contract.
“If they came to me and said they wanted me to finish my career with them, it would be hard to say no. Just because of the success we’ve had and the relationship with the organization,” Kane said. Nothing of the sort happened, so he moved to New York.
However, the engagement did not go as expected due to the injury. Problems with the hip persisted, only summer surgery helped.
“Being somewhere for such a long time and doing what you want is a super comfort. But I think it was good for me to gain new experiences. Even though it didn’t turn out as I imagined in New York,” he had no regrets.
“You certainly have a certain comfort when you are somewhere for a long time and feel comfortable in the given situation. But even though it didn’t turn out the way I hoped in New York, I think it was a great experience for me,” he had no regrets.
At the end of November, he signed a one-year contract in Detroit. In the current season, he played in 24 games and scored 23 points.
And at the weekend, in a Red Wings jersey, he will return to the place where he left an indelible mark.
2024-02-22 15:30:00
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