I'll Be A Patrick Kane Fan Until I Die

Cross a big one off the list. Patrick Kane was my white whale for interviews at Barstool and it was surreal having him in our studio going down memory lane. 

I will never love a team more than the 2009-15 Blackhawks. They had everything. A legendary coach. The great leader. The machine defenseman. The speed, toughness, and skill. They could play any way you wanted. I think it rare to have the best team also be the most fun to watch stylistically and the Blackhawks were that for a long time. 

They also had 88. There was nobody better to cheer for. Kane was always at his best when the lights were brightest. He wasn't a big guy, but it seemed like he was impossible to intimidate. A great teammate. A swagger that really permeated the rest of the roster. He's everything you want in a star player, a #1 pick, and the face of the franchise. Because it wasn't just on the ice. Kane worked his ass off. Every year it seemed like he came back with something new in his locker. He'd get a little bit stronger. A little bit faster. A better backhand, a better shot. It's crazy that his best personal years actually happened after the Blackhawks championships. 

Never should've let him leave. The organization is screaming for the type of leadership he provided. He was demanding. His story about Panarin the first year in the podcast said everything. He was hard on guys. He wanted them to be better. He pushed them to be. Kane seems like he's cut from that same athlete cloth as Jordan, Kobe, Brady, etc. A teammate who asks a lot of you, but never asks you more than he's willing to do himself. That is the sweet spot. I'll be a fan forever. I miss those days forever. There's not a doubt in my mind that the organization would've been in a much better spot for the rebuild if he wasn't shown the door for no good reason. 88 forever. 

Patrick Kane day in Chicago will be August 8th...88. Hosted by my guy Pat Boyle. Even though I was just with him I think I am going to double dip and go again. Link for the event below. Hope to see you all there