Patrick Kane becomes top US-born scorer, breaking Mike Modano’s record

Detroit Red Wings star Patrick Kane passed Hockey Hall of Famer Mike Modano to become the top U.S.-born scorer in NHL history.

Kane, 37, had an assist in the second period on Thursday, Jan. 29 against the Washington Capitals to give him 1,375 points, one more than Modano, the former Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars standout who finished his career in Detroit.

It was the second milestone that Kane reached this month. He scored his 500th goal on Jan. 8, becoming the fifth U.S.-born player and 50th overall to hit that mark.

He drew the second assist on a goal by Ben Chiarot to break the points record Thursday. Teammates poured onto the ice to congratulate him.

Kane, who was born in Buffalo, New York, has 500 goals and 875 assists with the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Red Wings.

Kane also scored his record 54th shootout goal in Thursday’s 4-3 loss, though shootout goals don’t count toward his 1,375 points.

Kane needs two attempts to break record

Kane looked like he might have the record early in the first period when he set up an Alex DeBrincat power play goal, but the play was ruled offsides after a Capitals challenge.

It was the second time in three games in which he lost a point. He was originally awarded an assist on a goal against the Winnipeg Jets on Jan. 24, but it was later taken away. He had an assist late in that game to move within one point of Modano and then tied the record on Jan. 27 with an assist against the Los Angeles Kings.

Patrick Kane vs. Mike Modano

Modano, who was born in Michigan, played 1,499 games. Kane has played 1,343. Modano had been the U.S. leader for 18-plus years, passing Phil Housley in November 2007 shortly after Kane’s NHL debut.

Modano (1988) and Kane (2007) are former No. 1 overall picks. Modano won a Stanley Cup with the Stars in 1999 and Kane won with the Blackhawks in 2010, 2013 and 2015. He won a scoring title with 106 points in 2015-16, the only American to do so, and also took home the Hart Trophy that season, ending a 91-year drought for U.S.-born players. His career best was 110 points in 2018-19.

Kane had a brief stint with the Rangers after a 2023 trade, then had hip surgery in the offseason. He signed with the Red Wings in November 2023 after recovering and has been in Detroit since.

Modano was not in the building but the Red Wings played a video message in which he praised Kane’s skill level and the influence he has had on young American players.

‘They all wanted to be Patrick Kane growing up,’ Modano said.

Modano’s U.S. record of 561 goals (Brett Hull, who played internationally for the USA, was born in Canada) might hold up as the standard for a while. Kane is the next-closest active player at 500. Between him and Modano are Joe Mullen (502), Jeremy Roenick (513) and Keith Tkachuk (538).

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthew is the next active U.S.-born player at 427 goals and 772 points. He’s averaging 1.14 points per game to Kane’s 1.03.