Kane Surpasses Modano in Shocking Milestone, Redefines U.S. Hockey Legacy

Patrick Kane just etched his name into the NHL history books in a way that had been decades in the making. On a chilly Thursday night at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena, the seasoned Red Wings forward snagged his 1,375th point—an assist that crowned him the all-time highest scorer born in the United States. It wasn’t just any play either; Kane’s slick pass set up Ben Chiarot’s one-timer to knot the game at 1-1, a moment that felt electric despite the team’s eventual 4-3 shootout loss to the Capitals. At 37, deep into his 19th season, Kane surpassed Mike Modano’s long-held record, a milestone that’s as much about sheer endurance and finesse as talent. I can’t help but marvel at how this guy keeps redefining what it means to be an American hockey great — all while staying humble and simply “playing,” as he puts it. It’s a remarkable career milestone that reminds us why Kane’s still a force to reckon with on the ice. LEARN MORE

Patrick Kane became the all-time leading scorer among United States-born players on Thursday.

The Detroit Red Wings forward got his 1,375th NHL point with an assist at 9:52 of the second period of a 4-3 shootout loss against the Washington Capitals at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

Kane got the record-breaking point on Ben Chiarot‘s goal, a one-timer from the point that tied the game 1-1. Kane skated the puck toward the left corner before passing to Alex DeBrincat, who spun and reversed the puck out to Chiarot for the shot.

Kane previously tied the record with an assist on DeBrincat’s goal at 17:45 of the third period in a 3-1 home loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old, who is in his 19th NHL season, passed the previous mark set by Mike Modano, who until Tuesday had held sole possession of the record since Nov. 7. 2007, when he got his 1,233rd point to pass Phil Housley.

Modano, who played his first 20 NHL seasons with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars, finished his career with the Red Wings in 2010-11 with 1,374 points (561 goals, 813 assists).

With his one point on Thursday, Kane has 500 goals and 875 assists in 1,342 career regular-season games.

“I never really thought about any American scoring records or being a top American player of all time, right?” Kane said recently. “You’re just playing.”