Patrick Kane’s Return to Chicago Couldn’t Have Ended Any Better.

Nobody knew what to expect when Patrick Kane, who helped the Chicago Blackhawks win three Stanley Cup championships between 2010 and 2015, scored over 1,200 points, and finished second on the franchise’s all-time scoring list, returned to Chicago in a Detroit Red Wings uniform on February 25.

Before we get started, let me say that the ending was considerably more reminiscent of a Disney film than anything you or I could have imagined. Scoring the overtime winning goal against your former team? Having nearly 18,000 spectators cheer for an away side player to score the game’s final goal? Even the state of Wisconsin couldn’t handle so much cheesiness.

And yet, for everyone in attendance, including Kane, the moment could not have been more perfect. Let’s look at the 2007 No. 1 overall pick’s return to Chicago, and what, despite the loss, could have been one of the highlights of the Blackhawks’ 2023-24 regular season.

Sports is full of coincidences, and we witnessed another one when Chris Chelios, one of the best U.S.-born hockey players in history, had his No. 7 jersey retired by the organisation on the same day Kane returned. Chelios played for the Blackhawks for nine seasons, from 1990-91 to 1998-99, earning the Norris Trophy twice and appearing in five NHL All-Star Games. Chelios has previously stated that Kane is one of his favourite players to watch in the league, and he made sure to include No. 88 in his statement.

“This guy will go down as the greatest American-born player,” Chelios declared, to deafening cheers. “Kaner, Patrick Kane, unbelievable.” More applause, with every fan in attendance standing and clapping in unison, including hockey royalty Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. “That jersey looks strange on you, Kaner, but it will grow on you.” And don’t worry, things will work out in the end. You’ll be standing here just like me.”

Professional athletes have a history of striving to remain calm in these situations, not allowing their emotions to take control. When you’ve performed in front of millions of people over the years, it’s easy to forget how much your job affects so many people’s lives. Nerves and loud cheers are as much a part of life as chain emails and running out of ink on the printer for you and me.

But as the video tribute concluded and Kane thanked the audience, the cheers continued. The high pitch of whistles and voice-cracking yelps intensified, demanding a curtain call. So Kane skated out and raised his stick again, nodding, biting his bottom lip, and inhaling deeply. He must have felt that was enough. We’ve got a game to play. Fans cheered and clapped even louder, emulating the commotion caused by Kane and his teammates’ three Stanley Cup triumphs, the Blackhawks’ first since 1961.