Patrick Kane’s return and Chris Chelios’ jersey retirement makes for memorable day in Blackhawks history originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Presented by Nationwide Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich
For weeks, I tried to figure out how I was going to document Sunday’s spectacle for Chicago Blackhawks fans that had the potential to be one of the most memorable days in franchise history. I can’t remember the last time there was this much buzz around a regular-season game.
You had Chris Chelios‘ jersey retirement to look forward to, which was worth the price of admission itself. You had franchise icon Patrick Kane returning to the United Center for the first time as a visitor, with the longtime rival Detroit Red Wings nonetheless. And you had the NHL’s newest face in Connor Bedard at center stage, an 18-year-old phenom who’s capable of doing something special on any given night.
With so many storylines funneled into one day, I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to give every one of them its proper attention. But I’ll try my best.
The day started with Kane speaking to the media at Detroit’s team hotel around 10:45 a.m., which was at his request because his desire was to have all the focus on Chelios prior to puck drop. No surprise, right?
Kane reflected on his time with the Blackhawks, what it was like to be back in Chicago, and much more in a 17-minute interview.
“When you fly back into the city, drive back downtown, see the skyline and everything like that, it hits home a little bit more,” Kane said.
When I arrived at the United Center just after 1 p.m., there were thousands of fans lined up along Madison Street waiting to enter the East Atrium to get into good position for the pregame panel discussion featuring some of Chelios’ former teammates Tony Amonte, Ed Belfour, Jeremy Roenick and Gary Suter, hosted by legendary play-by-play announcer Pat Foley.
The three most popular jerseys I saw in line: Bedard, Chelios and Kane. Fitting.
After the panel ended, the United Center started to fill up. Around 2:45 p.m., Kane made his entrance and four former teammates greeted him in the hallway: Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Patrick Sharp. Kane lit up when he saw them.
At 3:15 p.m. sharp, the lights went down and it was time for the Chelios ceremony to begin.
The Blackhawks’ bench was full as players and coaches watched the ceremony together. Kane and his Red Wings teammates also came out to watch.
After a video montage and the introduction of his family,…