Patrick Kane Sets NHL Record For US-Born Points

Patrick Kane, known to fans and teammates alike as “Showtime,” has etched his name atop the annals of American hockey history. On Thursday night at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, the 37-year-old winger became the all-time leader in points scored by a U.S.-born player in the NHL, surpassing the legendary Mike Modano. Kane’s 1,375th point came via a slick assist on a second-period goal by Ben Chiarot against the Washington Capitals—a moment that sent the Detroit crowd into a frenzy and brought his teammates off the bench for a brief, jubilant celebration.

The milestone was more than just a personal achievement for Kane; it was a landmark moment for American hockey. “It’s nice to have it over with in some ways and worry about the rest of the season,” Kane said after the game, which ended in a 4-3 shootout win for Washington. The play itself was classic Kane: a deft pass from the boards to Alex DeBrincat in the left circle, who then set up Chiarot for the tying goal. As the puck hit the back of the net, Kane flashed a grin, hugged Chiarot, and was immediately surrounded by teammates. The arena’s videoboards lit up with his likeness, an American flag waving in the background, and the number 1,375 emblazoned for all to see.

Shortly after the goal, a prerecorded video message from Mike Modano played on the Jumbotron, cementing the significance of the moment. “Patty, congratulations on becoming the American-born points leader,” Modano said. “I knew at an early age in your career you’d be the one chasing this number down, and here we are today. Your skill level, the ability to shoot the puck, pass, make plays, be creative, your shootout goals, how we got showtime, but more importantly, your influence on American-born players. Clayton Keller, the Hughes brothers, Cole Caulfield, they all wanted to be Patrick Kane growing up. And here we are. I couldn’t be more proud for you. I hope you have a great night. All the best to you and your family. Continue on and make this number harder for the next guy. All the best, bud. Take care.”

For nearly two decades, Modano’s record of 1,374 points stood as the gold standard for U.S.-born NHL players. Modano, who played 1,499 games—mostly with the Dallas Stars—finished his illustrious career with the Detroit Red Wings during the 2010-11 season. Kane’s achievement comes just a couple of months after his 37th birthday, a testament to his longevity and continued excellence on the ice. Notably, Modano was 40 when he reached his own milestone, passing Phil Housley for the previous American record.

Kane’s journey to the top of the all-time list began when he was selected first overall in the 2007 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. He quickly established himself as one of the league’s brightest young stars, winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2007-08. Over the next decade, Kane became synonymous with Chicago’s golden era, helping the Blackhawks capture three Stanley Cups between 2010 and 2015. Along the way, he earned the Conn Smythe 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.

Kane’s impact on the game extends far beyond his trophy case. Fellow American Jack Eichel didn’t mince words about Kane’s influence: “When you think of USA Hockey, he’s one of the first players that comes to mind, if not the first player. Such a great representation of USA Hockey and us Americans—something for a lot of the guys that came after him to strive to be, myself included.” Defenseman Charlie McAvoy echoed those sentiments, recalling Kane’s dazzling playoff performances: “His type of player just transcends now, when back then there wasn’t anybody that was really doing that. He changed the game of hockey. He’s an absolute legend. And it’s great that he’s an American.”

Earlier this month, Kane reached another rare milestone, becoming just the 50th player—and only the fifth American—to score 500 goals. He joined the likes of Keith Tkachuk, Jeremy Roenick, and Joe Mullen, while Brett Hull, a dual citizen born in Canada, leads all U.S. representatives with 741 goals and 1,391 points. Kane’s place among these greats is secure, but his career isn’t done yet. As Jack Hughes put it, “He’s well on his way to being the best USA player of all time.”

Despite his relatively modest stature—standing 5-foot-10 and weighing under 180 pounds—Kane’s skills have always set him apart. His quick hands, vision, and creativity have thrilled fans and confounded defenders for nearly two decades. “Such an iconic player, just played with such passion,” said Tage Thompson, a first-time U.S. Olympian this year. “Very enthusiastic, loved scoring goals, loved making plays.” Hughes, another young star, added, “He’s maybe got the best highlight reel of all time. Just as a kid, you watch all of his videos and everything, and you’re like, that’s the guy you want to be just because of how skilled he is.”

The magnitude of Kane’s accomplishment wasn’t lost on the Detroit faithful or on the broader hockey community. As he skated away from the celebration Thursday night, Kane raised his stick to acknowledge the roaring crowd, his eyes glistening with emotion. The moment was a fitting tribute to a player who has not only redefined what it means to be an American in the NHL but also inspired a new generation of stars to follow in his footsteps.

For now, Kane’s story continues. With the Red Wings still in the thick of the season and Kane showing no signs of slowing down, there’s every reason to believe that his record will only grow more formidable. As Modano urged in his message, Kane will make that number “harder for the next guy.” And who knows? Maybe one day, another young American will chase down Kane’s record, inspired by the very player who made history on a chilly Thursday night in Detroit.

As the NHL season presses on, all eyes remain on Patrick Kane—not just for what he’s accomplished, but for what he might still achieve. The bar for American greatness in hockey has been raised, and for now, “Showtime” stands alone at the top.