Patrick Kane, as the reigning Most Valuable Player of the entire National Hockey League decked in hardware (three Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe, the Calder, a Lindsay, an Art Ross, and of course, the Hart), isn't really known for recording any "NHL Firsts" anymore.
In fact, any kind of milestone mumbled around his name these days has to do with long-standing records and just the sheer amount of time he's been in the league. Wrapping up his ninth season, Kaner is a solid veteran name around the league. He's even a common quoted "childhood hero" for the younger guys around the league.
There is, however, one "first" that Patrick Kane never tackled (pun definitely intended).
First career NHL fight.
Until March 25, 2017, when Kaner dropped gloves with Florida Panther, Jussi Jokinen.
Okay well technically it doesn't count as a legitimate fight. Technically, Patrick Kane has yet to have his first fight because his little bout with Jokinen only constituted a two-minute roughing minor. Which means it didn't constitute Kaner's debut on hockey fights dot com.
To summarize, Kane takes a hit into the boards, causing both him and Jokinen to wipe out. Pissed with the hit and probably fed up with the entire league shoving him around, Kane dives right in, getting a nice swing in before getting up and shaking his gloves off. The linesmen interfere right away, holding back both players. Kane, now helmet-less, as well, can be seen saying "I don't fight. That was my first fight," with a little laugh.
You can even watch the scuffle play out up close and personal from the glass:
Ladies and gentlemen, Patty Kane's very first ever NHL career fight pic.twitter.com/BGyrRLZOdc
— apple🍎jacq (@TYLERMOTTE) March 27, 2017
But Patrick Kane is right. He doesn't fight. That really was his first fight. But he wasn't the only one that was shocked. Twitter pretty much exploded.
I'd expect to see a 3 legged polar bear kitesurfing in Florida before Patrick Kane fighting Jussi Jokinen. pic.twitter.com/SpjCkruigL
— Brian Foran (@BForanNHL) March 26, 2017
PATRICK KANE IS FIGHTING.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) March 26, 2017
WATER IS DRY, GRASS IS RED AND THE WORLD IS FLAT AFTER ALL. https://t.co/XZTmcb7zQ8
— x-rach (@r88ch) March 26, 2017
Patrick Kane has fought more than the hawks have scored in this game and that's all I've got for you tonight folks
— alaina (@miscalainaeous) March 26, 2017
Kane fighting what a weird fucking day pic.twitter.com/pa8dqkIlQo
— mandyhawk19 (@Mandyhawk19) March 26, 2017
kane: that was my first fight
*laughs*
ref: *laughs and pats him on shoulder* https://t.co/DJ0OvhVmOU
— x-emma (@chiblackhxwks) March 26, 2017
Patrick Kane, enforcer pic.twitter.com/k1IeIBhHzE
— Chief (@BarstoolChief) March 26, 2017
Patrick Kane: fights
fans: pic.twitter.com/Fs0oNHW5cj
— Grace (@gabutler10) March 26, 2017
WHAT IN GODS NAME https://t.co/Fd4tYGrrdk
— x-shay (@shalynbrady13) March 26, 2017
That's about as close to a fight as Patrick Kane will get in his NHL career. #Blackhawks
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) March 26, 2017
PATRICK KANE JUST GOT IN A FIGHT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THIS GAME😂😂😂
— Bailey Jensen (@bailey_jensen14) March 26, 2017
Even the Chicago Blackhawks social media team was in awe:
Kane and Jokinen drop the gloves. True story. #CHIvsFLA
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 26, 2017
But with a grand total of thirty-four penalty minutes, the entire game was very uncharacteristic of the Blackhawks. Under Joel Quenneville, they've always been more focused on playing smart and playing with skill. With a revolving door on the Blackhawks penalty box, the Florida Panthers totally obliterated the Blackhawks in a seven-zero shutout.
While Kaner finally got to punch out one of his rare remaining firsts, the rough and dirty style of play proved to be immensely unsuccessful for the Blackhawks. So savor this pseudo-fight because it's so rare that it honestly might not happen again.
But for what it's worth?
Kaner totally won.
