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Larkin, Kane, Datsyuk - three idols, one rink |
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Just call it the passing of the torch, if you will.
Dylan Larkin will be on the ice Wednesday night facing Patrick Kane, his childhood hero.
Kane will be on the ice Wednesday night facing Pavel Datsyuk, his childhood hero.
When the Detroit Red Wings face off against the Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena, two American idols will be involved in the fray, as well as one Russian idol.
In his now infamous D-Boss video that’s gone viral via social media, Red Wings rookie forward Larkin professes his boy crush on Kane.
“I was a big Patrick Kane fan actually,” said Larkin, who grew up a Wings fan in Southfield, Mich. “I liked how he came through the (Michigan-based USA Hockey) NTDP and he went to the OHL.
“He was a great player and obviously has been a great player for Chicago and Team USA as well. So I was a Patrick Kane fan and anytime Chicago was in the Stanley Cup I was pulling for them, but never against Detroit.”
Chicago forward Kane, the NHL scoring leader, smiled when informed of his status in Larkin’s eyes.
“I didn’t know about that,” Kane said. “It’s obviously pretty exciting to hear.
“I guess that means I’m getting a little bit older now.”
As a fellow American, Kane is excited about the number of talented young U.S. players that are rapidly evolving into NHL stars.
“I think it’s amazing the way these American players are coming up and what they’re bringing to the game,” Kane said. “You look at guys like (Buffalo’s Jack) Eichel and Larkin, it’s pretty special the way they can skate and how they’re having an impact on the game at such a young age. It’s pretty amazing, too.
“USA Hockey is in good hands.”
He’s impressed by what he’s seen of Larkin so far.
“I talked to him a little bit at the all-star game,” Kane said. “You obviously saw how fast he was in the fastest skater and how good he was in the three on three tournament, too.
“I think you watch some of these young guys and you’re just kind of amazed at the way they can impact a team right away. I know he’s leading the team in goals (with 19). He’s a pretty special player and I’m sure he’ll be doing some special things for a long time.”
Kane wasn’t taken aback at all by the thought that a Red Wings fan could idolize a Blackhawk.
“For me as a young kid watching players, I always kind of watched the best players on the ice and tried to take what I can from them,” Kane said. “Whether it was a rival of the (Buffalo) Sabres (his favorite team as a kid) or whatever it may be, you still watched them and tried to learn.
“If you liked the way that certain player played, you became a fan. I guess that’s the way hockey players are.”
Perhaps what might seen abhorrent to a Red Wings fan isn’t at all shocking to Kane because as a kid, his favorite player suited up for Detroit.
“I had a lot of different players that I watched, but, I was a huge fan of Datsyuk growing up,” Kane said. “Just the way he could handle the puck, some of the things he did on the ice and some of the things he would even try on the ice, it was just like something that you’d never seen before.
“They call him the Magic Man for a reason and he’s still to this day one of my favorite players to watch.”
Old Foes Reunite
The Wings and Blackhawks will meet for the 730th time in NHL history but for the first time this season.
“It’s been a long time since we played them,” Detroit defenseman Jonathan Ericsson said. “I really like these games, they’re always fun to play.”
Detroit will welcome back Petr Mrazek in goal after a precautionary one-game absence due to a tender groin. That’s the only lineup change for the Red Wings.
With Mrazek healthy, goalie Jared Coreau was returned to AHL Grand Rapids.
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