Patrick Kane is now the highest-scoring American-born player in NHL history.
Kane passed Mike Modano with an assist Thursday night for his 1,375th point as the Detroit Red Wings faced the Washington Capitals. He reached that mark a few months after turning 37, while Modano scored his 1,374th point at age 40.
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“When you think of USA Hockey, he’s one of the first players, if not the first player, that comes to mind,” fellow American Jack Eichel said. “This is a great representation of USA hockey and who we are as Americans — and that’s what a lot of people who came after him strive to be, myself included.”
Since being selected by Chicago with the first overall pick in the 2007 draft, Kane has been one of the representatives of American hockey. He helped the Blackhawks win three Stanley Cups from 2010-15, becoming a co-star on one of the most successful franchises since the league’s salary cap era began in 2005.
American-born defender Charlie McAvoy recalled watching Kane “do things that people wouldn’t do” during the long run.
“His type of player is beyond that now, and no one was really doing that at the time,” American-born defender Charlie McAvoy said. “He changed the game of hockey. He’s an absolute legend. It’s great that he’s an American.”
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Earlier this month, Kane became the 50th player and fifth American to score 500 goals, joining Keith Tkachuk, Jeremy Roenicke and Joe Mullen. Brett Hull, a dual national born in Canada, has represented the United States in international competitions, scoring 741 goals and 1,391 points.
“He’s becoming the best American player ever,” fellow player Jack Hughes said.
Kane won the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year in 2007-08, the Conn Smith 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 who plays with so much passion,” said Tage Thompson, who is competing in his first U.S. Olympics this year. “Very passionate, loves to score goals, loves to create games.”
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Kane’s nimble hands more than make up for his 5-foot-10, less than 180-pound frame.
“He probably has the best highlight reel of all time,” Hughes said. “Like a kid, you watch all his videos and everything and you’re like, this is who you want to be because of his skill.”
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
