Patrick Kane’s Pursuit of Olympic Gold
In Plymouth, Michigan, Patrick Kane is gearing up for his 19th season in the NHL, bringing with him an impressive resume featuring three Stanley Cups, a scoring title, and MVP honors from both the regular season and the playoffs. Yet, as he approaches his 37th birthday, there remains one accolade that eludes him: an Olympic gold medal.
“Reflecting on my career, the one accomplishment I’m still pursuing is an Olympic gold in a best-on-best scenario,” Kane expressed in a recent interview.
This week, he is among the 44 players invited to Team USA’s Olympic orientation camp as they prepare for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan—the first Olympics featuring NHL players in over a decade.
Transition to the Detroit Red Wings
After spending 16 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Kane has shifted gears to the Detroit Red Wings, where he hopes to secure his third Olympic appearance. He previously represented the U.S. in Vancouver in 2010, where the team earned a silver medal after a nail-biting final against Canada, and again in Sochi in 2014.
His Red Wings teammates, including captain Dylan Larkin, have voiced their support for his Olympic aspirations, with Larkin noting that many younger players look up to Kane as a role model.
“Every guy here is a Patrick Kane fan,” he said, emphasizing Kane’s significant impact on U.S. hockey.
Proving His Worth
Despite the admiration, Kane insists that his selection to the Olympic team should not be a foregone conclusion based on past accomplishments.
“I want to be chosen for the player I am today, not because of my history,” he stated.
Kane is seeking to prove his worth on the ice after a difficult previous season, in which he scored only three goals and ten points in his first 20 games post-surgery for a hip issue.
In a revelation about his exclusion from the Four Nations team last winter—where he was one of the last players cut—Kane acknowledged that he understood the decision given his form. He recalled the disappointment of a personal conversation with Team USA General Manager Bill Guerin, who delivered the news directly.
Looking Ahead
Now, with a change in the Red Wings’ coaching staff resulting in a more aggressive playing style, Kane’s performance improved dramatically in the latter part of the season, netting 16 goals and 45 points in his last 43 games. He has big objectives for the upcoming season: not only to earn a spot on the Olympic roster but also to reach personal milestones including his 500th career goal and surpassing Mike Modano in career points for U.S.-born players.
The upcoming Olympics present a unique opportunity, allowing for 25-player rosters, which may boost his chances. This year’s Olympic camp features Kane and Ryan McDonough as the only returnees from the 2014 team. The U.S. men’s hockey team, which last clinched gold in the Olympics during the legendary 1980 Miracle on Ice, aims to elevate its standing after a promising finish with gold at the World Championships in May.
“The message remains consistent from previous camps: there’s a legacy to uphold, especially regarding our rivals in Canada,” Kane reflected, emphasizing the expectations surrounding Olympic success.
Meanwhile, he is determined to help the Detroit Red Wings end their nine-year playoff drought, a franchise record, as he embarks on this new chapter of his storied career.
With the season approaching, Kane noted the importance of starting strong.
“If I can get off to a good start, it could lead to great opportunities like making the Olympic team, which would be the cherry on top of it all,” he concluded.
