Patrick Kane’s back — for a day, anyway. And now his name is part of Chicago lore forever.
Aug. 8 was always a day of celebration of the career of Kane for Blackhawks fans — after all, he donned the No. 88 sweater for 16 seasons with the franchise. The official recognition came Friday from Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, who officially proclaimed the date as Patrick Kane Day in Chicago, honoring the winger for the accolades he racked up with the organization — including three Stanley Cups.
“Fun to be back in Chicago, and I’m excited for the day.” Kane said. “It’s very special and I’m very thankful for the honor.”
Kane busy day started at Johnny’s Ice House West with a community youth hockey clinic. Young players wearing Blackhawks sweaters practiced drills led by the future Hall of Famer, who later signed various Bauer equipment for the kids. Kane’s son was on the ice, too, even getting into a playful scuffle.
Parents watched as Kane skated to both ends of the rink to help the young skaters. The kids started off passing the puck in a circle and then had skater-versus-goalie showdowns. Jane Domingo, 48, brought her son Ronan, 14, who will be a goalie at Loyola Academy. The Domingos started off as a football family, but Jane’s Canadian husband showed them the hockey world.
“We actually watched game five of one of the (Hawks) Stanley Cups and we were able to see that live,” Domingo said. “We’ve really all become a huge hockey family.”
The number of hockey events such as Kane’s youth skate have become a less common occurrence. Families attending were grateful for Kane and everyone who set up the event that let their kids perform with an icon.
“The hockey community as I have found is a very small one, so (it’s great to) see guys who have made it giving back to the kids and showing them that hockey is fun,” Domingo said. “To see the players in more of a human way is important not only for these kids but also to continue to grow the sport.”
Skaters found it hard to contain their excitement about meeting Kane. Parents who usually get their kids’ day started “didn’t have to wake them up,” which is understandable given his storied Hawks history.
“They were pretty hyped about it,” Cain Slager, 45, said about his two sons, Cain and Cody. “I don’t think they quite know how lucky they are, but it’s definitely a great opportunity.”
Added Antonio Sosa, whose three sons, Alejandro, Emilio (wearing a Connor Bedard sweater) and Santiago were on the ice: “It’s great to get them ice time, but it’s also good to have role models they’ve watched play on TV, so they already have an inspirational feeling about it. My two sons (Alejandro and Emilio) play against each other harder than they do against other kids and they both were talking about how they were going to get on the ice and show off each other.”
The two were as competitive as they said they would be on the ice, and it may have caught Kane’s attention.
“A couple of them (showed out), there’s some talent out there for sure,” Kane, 36, said. “(I) try to go around and talk to each kid and spend as much time with them as I can.”
The rest of Patrick Kane Day involved an autograph signing at the Chicago Sports Museum at Water Tower Place and An Evening with Patrick Kane, hosted by sports broadcaster Pat Doyle, at Morgan MFG. Kane took some time to playfully rub the day in some former teammates’ faces.
“Definitely (texted) Tazer (Jonathan Toews). I have the most shootout goals in NHL history, now he’s coming back and he’s probably coming back just so he can beat me,” Kane said of having 53 shootout goals compared with Toews’ 52. “I know he’s going to get ahead of me.”
Kane, nearing his third season with the Detroit Red Wings and 19th overall, is widely regarded as the greatest American-born player in NHL history. The 2007 No. 1 pick played 1,161 games with the Hawks, scoring 446 goals with 779 assists. He’s a two-time Olympian and winner of the Hart, Art Ross, Calder Memorial and Conn Smythe trophies. He ranks 32nd in points (1,343), 27th in assists (851) and 51st in goals (492) all time.
Kane recalled some of his favorite memories with the Hawks.
“We had a team bowling day after we won in 2013, the whole team out there bowling, it was just a great day,” Kane said. “I went on stage with Jimmy Buffet three times — that’s something you’d never think you’d be able to do because you’re able to win with the Blackhawks.”