The Chicago Blackhawks finally snagged a W, but the night was about more than just the scoreboard. Fan-favorite Pat Maroon shocked everyone when he announced that this season will be his final season in the NHL. And where did he choose to share the news? Right in St. Louis—the place where he lifted the Stanley Cup, the city that shaped his hockey dreams. With raw emotion in his voice, Maroon said to Darren Pang, “It’s tough. Sometimes you’ve gotta give up everything you know and everything you’ve dreamed of your whole life.”

It was a weight that was hard to bear, but for Maroon, he knew that it was time for him and his family to move on and start anew. But Maroon isn’t going out quietly. With fire in his heart and a stick in his hands, he’s treating every game like it’s his last, promising to give it everything he’s got. “I’m going to play as hard as I can and do everything I can to keep winning hockey (games),” he stated, thus indicating that he still has it in him to fight. And now, after the game, emotions ran high in the locker room as Maroon delivered a heartfelt speech, rallying his teammates after their seven-game skid.

Fresh off their latest game, the Chicago Blackhawks dropped a video that had fans feeling all the emotions—Pat Maroon standing in the locker room, speaking straight from the heart. After announcing this season would be his last, he took a moment to thank his teammates for making it special. “Great job boys, I want to say thank you for yesterday, it meant a lot to me. I know it’s probably a lot, but I love coming to work every day with you guys, it’s meant a lot.” His voice carried the weight of a career filled with battles, victories, and memories, but instead of dwelling on the past, he turned his focus to the road ahead.

“Obviously it’s not the year we want, but we can try to build something here in the next 12 games. Build a culture, winning hockey, winning ways, especially for young guys.” Maroon wasn’t just speaking—he was leading, reminding them what it takes to create something great. He looked at the future stars in the room and left them with a final push. “You guys have so much talent, a lot of years ahead of you to do something. So, honestly, thank you guys so much, it meant a lot to me.” It wasn’t just a farewell; it was a challenge, a message from a champion who knows exactly what it takes to win.

This is the kind of story that every hockey player wants, drafted in the sixth round in 2007, made his debut in the 2011-12 season, and then etched his name in history with three straight Stanley Cup wins. It was a dream come true with his home team, St. Louis Blues, in 2019, and then consecutive wins with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the years 2020 and 2021. Now at 36 he is playing for the Chicago Blackhawks on a one-year, $1.3 million contract and has 18 points in 61 games this season.

Although Maroon has never been touted as elite, his partnership with Lukas Reichel, and Craig Smith on the fourth line has racked up a team-high 10 goals for the team. Besides, his contribution off the ice cannot be overstated either, as coach Anders Sorensen explained, “…in the locker room, he’s great. With the younger guys, he’s awesome. [He] takes care of the younger guys, really makes sure they’re looked after, so good human being.” And the game was nothing short of special, packed with emotions and meaning for Pat Maroon.

Pat Maroon receives a standing ovation!

St. Louis fans always bring the passion, but this night? Oh, it was something special. In what turned out to be his final NHL game in his hometown, Pat Maroon got a send-off straight out of a sports fairytale. The Blackhawks forward and proud St. Louis native stood at center ice as the Enterprise Center erupted into a standing ovation that could shake the rafters. And as the crowd cheered, television cameras panned to his father, Phil Maroon, wiping away tears. “I’m just so proud of his accomplishments,” Phil said. “He’s done it all on his own… fought through the minor leagues and made it happen.”

When the second period rolled around, the emotions were already dialed up to eleven. The Blues fans united to honor the local boy who once contributed to the team’s championship win. Both benches tapped their sticks in a sign of respect and Maroon, the warrior that he was, addressed the people, clapped and enjoyed the moment. “I was shocked what the Blues did for me tonight,” Maroon said after the game. “They didn’t have to do that.” But of course, they did—because legends don’t just fade away. And just to put the cherry on top? Maroon was named the game’s No. 1 star, a fitting way to cap off a night that no one in St. Louis will forget.

And as his latest game for the Blackhawks? They finally snapped their brutal seven-game losing streak in a high-scoring thriller against the Flyers. It was a game that Connor Bedard would not want to be forgotten as he scored his 20th goal in the season, and Ryan Donato scored two power-play goals. Tyler Bertuzzi reached the 300-point milestone in his NHL career and the team celebrated this victory with a 7-4 win. The Hawks may not have the season they dreamed of, but for one night, they had something even bigger—an unforgettable moment for a teammate who gave everything to the game.