In a highly anticipated event at the United Center, the Chicago Blackhawks celebrated the return of Patrick Kane, now with the Detroit Red Wings, and retired Chris Chelios's No. 7 jersey in a pregame ceremony. Kane, who spent the first 16 seasons of his career with the Blackhawks after being selected first overall in the 2007 NHL Draft, expressed mixed emotions about his return, acknowledging the significant accomplishments and memories he had with the team. The night was filled with emotional moments, including a video tribute to Kane, who received a standing ovation and did three laps around the rink in response to the fans' cheers, marking three curtain calls. Chelios, a Hall of Fame defenseman who scored 92 goals in 664 regular-season games with the Blackhawks, also received a warm welcome, with his No. 7 jersey being officially retired and raised to the rafters, marking a permanent honor for his contributions to the team. Kane was also highlighted as the "greatest American-born player," underscoring the deep connections between the players, the team, and the city of Chicago.
Patrick Kane receives video tribute, standing ovation in return to Chicago | @NHLBlackhawks @DetroitRedWings ⤵️ https://t.co/r3EGJI1bwb
The Chicago Blackhawks retired Chris Chelios' jersey on Sunday. https://t.co/0WrstgTcHS
'Ultimate leader': Blackhawks retire Chelios' jersey https://t.co/tcRndmmScW
Patrick Kane returns to Chicago https://t.co/c0sbcos4zv
CHILLS 🤯 Patrick Kane's standing ovation at the United Center was one for the ages. @CRoumeliotis shares: https://t.co/4FPl96BDTl
Blackhawks fans welcome back Patrick Kane https://t.co/HtBkQzskHA
Rousing welcome for Patrick Kane here at United Center. Took 3 laps. https://t.co/Y1rPg3oi0I
Patrick Kane gets a lengthy ovation from Blackhawks fans in his return to Chicago. 🥹 https://t.co/xT9x04T3P1
Patrick Kane received an all-time ovation in his return to Chicago Beautiful moment for the Blackhawks legend @spittinchiclets https://t.co/uHWCWJ7spw
The Patrick Kane video tribute and his three curtain calls. Epic. #Blackhawks https://t.co/4tjpLb57kr
That was as loud as it’s been in the United Center for a #Blackhawks game since … 2015? Tremendous tribute to Patrick Kane — who skated out three times during his ovation, clearly touched. Memorable.
Spectacular Ovation for Patrick Kane at United Center, on his return to Chicago.
Patrick Kane does three laps around the United Center after his video tribute because Chicago fans wouldn’t stop cheering. Chills. #Blackhawks https://t.co/S8CRjTgaTG
The Chicago Blackhawks retired Chris Chelios' No. 7 jersey on Sunday in a ceremony that highlighted the defenseman's hard-charging lifestyle on and off the ice, honoring him after a career that included 92 goals in 664 regular-season games with the club. https://t.co/d4KdphSeD7
Scenes from the United Center as Chris Chelios watched his jersey get raised to the rafters 🙌 “As of today, nobody can ever wear No. 7 again as a Chicago Blackhawk.” 🎥@Sportsnet https://t.co/T10ZWP0emj
The Blackhawks retired Chris Chelios' No. 7 in a rousing pregame ceremony. Read all about it: https://t.co/YJpIhfU1OT
Blackhawks icon Patrick Kane makes his first return to Chicago tonight! 🎬 Watch Red Wings vs. Blackhawks coming up on Sportsnet and streaming on Sportsnet+. https://t.co/xgSYKkgjcM
After being selected by the @NHLBlackhawks first overall in the 2007 #NHLDraft and spending the first 16 seasons of his career with the club, Patrick Kane is back in Chicago for the first time as a visitor. #NHLStats: https://t.co/V3npp39RHP https://t.co/vg8xPIljcE
“As of today, nobody can ever wear No. 7 again as a Chicago Blackhawk.” 🙌 The legend Chris Chelios gets his jersey raised to the rafters at the United Center. https://t.co/6OtoJM3Tex
Chris Chelios called Kane the "greatest American-born player" https://t.co/hMUS5aDsgx
Patrick Kane tosses a puck to the Chicago fans. #Blackhawks https://t.co/5ubzldxwHC
Patrick Kane is wearing an “A” for Detroit in his return to Chicago. Nice touch. #Blackhawks https://t.co/za0F49Fx1z
Patrick Kane hits the ice for pregame warmups in his return to Chicago. #Blackhawks https://t.co/Lnt1URHGHw
Chris Chelios’ No. 7 is raised to the United Center rafters. #Blackhawks https://t.co/3AR8QaaSQ5
Chris Chelios’ No. 7 is officially in the United Center rafters. #Blackhawks https://t.co/3YYQdaIGhT
Honor for Chris Chelios in Patrick Kane's Chicago return is perfect for Detroit Red Wings https://t.co/Xxtug1A1dr
'This guy (Patrick Kane) will go down as the greatest American-born player.' 🗣️ the United Center was LOVING Chelios shouting out Patrick Kane. 👏 (🎥: @NBCSBlackhawks) https://t.co/T0cUq4k2rq
Chris Chelios to Patrick Kane during his jersey retirement speech: "Just be careful don’t go stealing my thunder today, OK? I've got money on the board to shut you down." 😂 #Blackhawks https://t.co/oAeC80gSpB
Paul Sullivan writes: Life of the party gets his own celebration as Chicago Blackhawks great Chris Chelios has his No. 7 retired Sunday. https://t.co/AEsfBi0epT
Chris Chelios' #7 goes up in the rafters. 👏 (🎥: @NHLBlackhawks) https://t.co/I6tGcJAmQR
Chris Chelios with a shoutout to Patrick Kane during retirement ceremony at United Center. Says Red Wings uniform will grow on him. https://t.co/97W1pXJ1MP
Chris Chelios includes Patrick Kane in his jersey retirement speech, and the ovation was as loud as you’d expect. #Blackhawks https://t.co/Y9kvikFbb6
Patrick Kane gets his first huge ovation of the night (bigger than Chelios' for sure) as Chelios says "This guy will go down as the greatest American born player." Kane, along with both teams, has been watching from the benches.
Chris Chelios: "The day I got traded to Chicago was the greatest day of my life." #Blackhawks
Chelios: "The day I was traded to Chicago was the greatest day of my life."
Chris Chelios getting emotional, speaking from the heart, delivering his speech before the #Blackhawks officially retire his No. 7 jersey. Cool scene at the UC. https://t.co/WNb8oUaiZE
10/10 entrance for Chris Chelios at his jersey retirement ceremony. #Blackhawks https://t.co/rrlj1ApNtS
What an ovation for Chris Chelios. #Blackhawks https://t.co/UFSHmKpl3v
Chris Chelios retirement ceremony for his No. 7 underway here at United Center. https://t.co/joeSmRN2nz
Showtime is here: Patrick Kane has arrived at the United Center. #Blackhawks https://t.co/Z7ttqcByV9
The crowds are OUT for Chris Chelios' jersey retirement and Patrick Kane's return to Chicago 👀 🎥 @MarkLazerus https://t.co/b04eBkso19
Connor Bedard arrives at the United Center wearing a black Chris Chelios jersey. Amazing. #Blackhawks https://t.co/PWy2DU7UcS
United Center is ready for the Chris Chelios ceremony. #Blackhawks https://t.co/wGRfCV1RUY
Chris Chelios makes his United Center arrival ahead of his jersey retirement: “Alright, here we go. Showtime.” #Blackhawks https://t.co/mI1fAdw0uz
Patrick Kane on his return to Chicago: “When you fly back into the city, drive back downtown, see the skyline and everything like that, it hits home a little bit more.” #Blackhawks https://t.co/HveSU0KufL
A Blackhawks legend makes his return to Chicago tonight 👏 Kane is +175 to score vs. his former team 👀 https://t.co/MM28SNinxc
From one Chicago icon to another... Congratulations on your @NHLBlackhawks jersey retirement, Chris Chelios! https://t.co/ApyfUBRDIz
"I keep thinking I'm not going to have too much emotion but I guess you never know how those things go down." #Blackhawks icon Patrick Kane unsure what his emotions will be like as he prepares for United Center return: https://t.co/RUamtFmojs
Join us in congratulating Chris Chelios on the retirement of his jersey by the Chicago Blackhawks! As a member of the Caravan, Chris played for MC Hockey under legendary coach, John Deuran. Many of his Caravan teammates look forward to celebrating with him today. https://t.co/VdpM6anfuF
Patrick Kane on being a visitor at United Center: "Someone was telling me yesterday not to just keep walking to the Blackhawks room, you've got to turn right at some point to go to the visitor’s room. It'll be a little bit different." #Blackhawks
Patrick Kane on Connor Bedard in Chicago: "We talk about the fans and the city and how it’s such a great sports town, he’s in a great spot for that. The fans deserve another long run of a great hockey player and hopefully great teams behind him." #Blackhawks
Patrick Kane on United Center return: "I don't know if I'm nervous. I'm just more looking forward to everything and excited about the whole night in general. I keep thinking I'm not going to have too much emotion but I guess you never know how those things go down." #Blackhawks
Patrick Kane said he plans to watch the Chris Chelios jersey retirement ceremony from the Detroit bench with his Red Wings teammates. #Blackhawks
Patrick Kane on returning to Chicago: "When you fly back into the city, drive back downtown, see the skyline and everything like that, it hits home a little bit more. I'm sure it'll probably all come back to me a little bit tonight." #Blackhawks
Patrick Kane is obviously back in Chicago today. If you missed it, I sat down with Kane recently in Detroit and discussed his return, all the changes within the Blackhawks, if he could have re-signed and much more. https://t.co/6x1G8CmEJW
Patrick Kane on arriving to the United Center as the visitor https://t.co/xiC5LMGBvO
Patrick Kane is back in Chicago. “When you see the skyline, it hits you a little bit more.” https://t.co/i5R0nwQrka
Kane's Chicago homecoming coincides with the Blackhawks retiring Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Chelios' No. 7 jersey in a pregame ceremony before the matchup with the Red Wings. https://t.co/Xk9vGKNZKR
Patrick Kane, on his return to Chicago today: "I don't think I'm going to get emotional. I guess you never know until you're in the moment. But we accomplished so many great things there, and it was such a fun time in my life." More. ⤵️ https://t.co/TqGrs6vb4Z
Patrick Kane makes his return to the Windy City tonight. 👀🍿 https://t.co/OMACBizzJm
Special events set to take place before Patrick Kane’s return to Chicago, Chris Chelios's jersey retirement at the United Center today: https://t.co/oZkhOMDdMB
Rise and shine, Chicago ☀️ Be in your seats for the Chris Chelios jersey retirement ceremony by 3 p.m. And then, Patrick Kane makes his United Center return. #Blackhawks https://t.co/mZDP4E6aej
P. Kane's return to Chicago with Red Wings 'will be pretty loud' ⤵️ https://t.co/Ad0FVOuVQ3
Chris Chelios’ No. 7 jersey will be retired in a pregame ceremony, and then former Blackhawks great Patrick Kane will play his first game at the United Center as a member of the Red Wings shortly thereafter — all in front of an emotional, sold-out crowd. https://t.co/AT0X3WP6xY
Special events set to take place before Patrick Kane’s Chicago return, Chris Chelios jersey retirement Sunday: https://t.co/oZkhOMDdMB
Kane plans to 'enjoy the whole thing' in Chicago return https://t.co/m52rfIS0CE
Blackhawks excited for Patrick Kane's return to Chicago: ‘I expect a hero's welcome' https://t.co/M9jl968OVC
#Blackhawks excited for Patrick Kane's return to Chicago: 'I expect a hero's welcome' https://t.co/jwat4PiSkX
"I expect a hero's welcome." "It'll be emotional, for sure. I think I might shed a tear." "I've got a feeling we're going to have to delay the game a little bit for it." #Blackhawks excited for Patrick Kane's return to Chicago: https://t.co/pWVl1an8uW
The Blackhawks will not only welcome Patrick Kane back to Chicago for the 1st time since being traded, but they will also celebrate another franchise great — Chris Chelios — by retiring his jersey this weekend. A list of events on Sunday, for @WGNNews: https://t.co/AxE0xVCY6t
For Chris Chelios, all roads lead home to Chicago. "Growing up in Chicago, being at the Hawks games, I was like a lion coming out of a cage. And it was it was too good to be true the way things went my first year." #Blackhawks https://t.co/DPIgofoapM
🚨 New #Blackhawks Talk Podcast 🚨 @BoyleNBCS goes 1-on-1 with Chris Chelios to talk about his jersey retirement, favorite Blackhawks memories, and much more. 🎧: https://t.co/aUu2Ab161h https://t.co/EIucTMXouI
[LISTEN] @BoyleNBCS goes 1-on-1 with Chris Chelios as #Blackhawks prepare to retire his No. 7. Chelios talks about where this ranks among his accomplishments, his favorite memory of playing at UC, and more. Listen to the latest Blackhawks Talk Podcast: https://t.co/PowYBtlGwq https://t.co/p6skYhQYJJ
The Chris Chelios chronicles: @MarkLazerus and I collected stories about Chelios’ Blackhawks’ days. This was a fun one to put together. https://t.co/LdRIP8B4rC
.@NHLBlackhawks icon Chris Chelios is heading to the rafters! To mark this major milestone, we're launching our first Hometown History team set. Learn more about Hometown History and the #7 Chris Chelios pack: https://t.co/rml6SqQ95c
It's been less than a calendar year since Patrick Kane was dealt away from the only NHL home he'd ever known. Sunday, he returns to Chicago for the first time as an opposing player. Expectations are it's going to be a tremendous night. https://t.co/1UEAHw1CzD https://t.co/pIpGzTmR2b
Patrick Kane prepares for return to Chicago: ‘It’s going to be a fun night’ ⤵️ https://t.co/U1XsinX2bx
Michael Jordan is scheduled to be in attendance at Chris Chelios' Blackhawks jersey retirement ceremony Sunday, Chelios told @mullyhaugh. Listen to Chelios' full interview here: https://t.co/Xnt7XUa8RW https://t.co/TARvpl2ozx
"It’s strange to think we were on this crazy ride in Chicago for so long but at the same time it all went by in the blink of an eye.” Jonathan Toews was among those who shared thoughts on Patrick Kane's return to Chicago. My story: https://t.co/bM33rVCUZf
"If they came to me and said, ‘We want you to be a Blackhawk for life. Can we work something out?’ I think it probably would have been tough to say no." Patrick Kane (and Jonathan Toews!) talked to @ByScottPowers about his pending return to Chicago. Read: https://t.co/ZPBI5pTc0S