Patrick Kane Pens Heartfelt Letter Of Thanks To Red Wings

Follow Michael Whitaker On X

Future Hall of Fame forward Patrick Kane said that he wasn't sure what to expect when he joined the Detroit Red Wings in December 2023, especially after having spent most of his career with the rival Chicago Blackhawks. 

Kane instantly became a fan favorite in the Motor City and was embraced by the fan base, not only routinely thrilling crowds at Little Caesars Arena but also providing timely offense; his 57 points ranked fifth overall on the team last season. 

However, Kane decided against what would have been a third full campaign in Detroit, and instead returned to the Blackhawks with a two-year, $16 million contract, where he'll eventually wrap up his playing days. 

But just because Kane no longer wears the Winged Wheel, it doesn't mean that he won't forever look back fondly upon his time playing in Detroit.

He posted a touching tribute on social media, thanking the Red Wings organization, the players, training and equipment staff, and the fans for embracing him. 

"Thank you to Marian and Chris Ilitch, Steve Yzerman, all the coaches, players, trainers, equipment managers, and everyone within the organization for making Detroit a special place for me and my family over the past few seasons," Kane wrote.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Kane continued by thanking his longtime friend and teammate Alex DeBrincat, along with several of his now-former teammates before sending a special message to the fans of Hockeytown.

"Finally, to the fans—wow, what can I say? The support I felt over the last few seasons was unbelievable," Kane said. "I never expected that coming from Chicago. To score my 500th goal and 1,375th point at home at LCA, in front of you, was... perfect. Thank you for all your love. Sorry we couldn't get over the hump and get in the playoffs. That's all anyone wanted."

"It was truly an honor to be a Red Wing, and I enjoyed every minute of it. To be part of such a storied franchise and be welcomed with open arms is something my family and I will never forget. Thank you, Detroit!" 

In the 189 games that Kane played with the Red Wings, he scored 57 goals with 106 assists. 

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.