Patrick Kane just etched his name atop another page of NHL history, and this one carries special meaning-not just for him, but for American hockey.
With a secondary assist on Ben Chiarot’s goal midway through the second period Thursday night at Little Caesars Arena, Kane reached 1,375 career points, officially passing Mike Modano for the most points by a U.S.-born player in NHL history. That’s 500 goals, 875 assists, and now one more than the former record holder-achieved in game No. 1,342 of Kane’s career.
It’s a milestone that feels almost poetic. Modano, a metro Detroit native, wrapped up his Hall of Fame career with the Red Wings.
Now, Kane-who came to Detroit in November 2023 looking to revive his own career after hip surgery-has reached this historic mark wearing the same sweater. It’s a full-circle moment for American hockey royalty.
“He’s super dedicated, does all the right things on and off the ice,” said teammate Andrew Copp. “No one had ever come back from that [hip surgery], but I knew if there was one guy that could do it, it would be him.”
Copp’s not wrong. Kane’s comeback has been nothing short of remarkable.
After undergoing a procedure that’s ended careers before, he’s not just returned-he’s returned to form. The puck control, the vision, the creativity-it’s all still there.
And it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about the way Kane has reasserted himself as one of the game’s most dynamic forces, even at 37.
Thursday night’s record-breaking moment didn’t come easy. Kane thought he had it less than two minutes into the game when he scored what appeared to be the record-setting goal.
But after a quick review, it was wiped out due to an offsides challenge. So he waited.
And when the moment finally came, it was classic Kane-sliding a pass to longtime running mate Alex DeBrincat, who found Chiarot at the blue line for a one-timer that beat Charlie Lindgren.
That assist was Kane’s 138th point as a Red Wing and tied the game at 1-1. It also pushed him past Modano and into the record books-again.
Kane’s journey to this point has been anything but linear. After more than a decade of dominance in Chicago, where he collected 1,225 points and helped the Blackhawks win three Stanley Cups (2010, 2013, 2015), Kane was traded to the New York Rangers in February 2023. But his hip was already bothering him, and the brief stint in New York never quite clicked.
That summer, he underwent hip resurfacing surgery-a procedure that had never been successfully followed by a return to elite NHL play. But Kane isn’t just any player. When he was ready to return, Detroit emerged as the right fit, thanks in part to DeBrincat, who had reunited with the Red Wings and helped recruit his former linemate.
Kane signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal with Detroit on November 28, 2023. Since then, he’s done more than just lace up again-he’s produced.
He tallied 20 goals and 47 points in 50 games during the 2023-24 season, proving he still has plenty left in the tank. That led to another one-year deal in 2024, and again in 2025.
Now in his third act-Buffalo-born phenom, Chicago legend, Detroit revivalist-Kane is not just adding to his résumé. He’s redefining what longevity and resilience can look like in the NHL.
With 1,375 points, he now sits 26th on the all-time NHL scoring list and fourth among active players, trailing only Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin, who has 1,386. Kane’s 500th goal, another major milestone, came earlier this season, making him just the fifth U.S.-born player to reach that mark.
And while the NHL’s all-time points crown still belongs to Wayne Gretzky (2,857 points), Kane now stands alone among American-born players. It’s worth noting that Brett Hull, who has 1,391 points and played for Team USA, was born in Ontario and holds dual citizenship. Kane, however, is the top scorer born on U.S. soil.
From being the No. 1 overall pick in 2007 after a 145-point season with the OHL’s London Knights, to winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2008, to hoisting the Conn Smythe in 2013, Kane’s career has been a masterclass in sustained excellence.
Now, with another record in hand, he’s not just an American great-he’s the American great. And the best part? He’s still adding to the story.