Patrick Kane
In 2007, Patrick Kane was the 1st overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft. The Chicago Blackhawks, the team that he still plays for, drafted him. He was drafted number 1 due to his tremendous skills, which he showed off when playing minor and junior hockey. He is currently one of the top ten players in the NHL according to expert analysis. His NHL career, international play, and personal life have been very exciting to keep a track of to many fans. Patrick Kane’s NHL career began on July 25, 2007 when Blackhawks General Manager, Dale Tallon, announced that the Hawks had signed right-winger, Patrick Kane, to a 3-year contract. His NHL debut was against the Minnesota Wild on October 4, 2007, but he did not have any points on his stat sheet until the Blackhawks versed one of their rival teams, the Detroit Red Wings. During the game against the Red Wings, Kane recorded his 1st assist along with his 1st shootout goal, which ended up being the game-winner. A few games after that he scored his 1st NHL regulation time goal against the Colorado Avalanche goalie, Jose Theodore. Within his 1st month playing for the Blackhawks, Kane was named NHL Rookie of the Month for october, after racking up five goals and eleven assists within twelve games. Kane finished his rookie year with 72 overall points, which had him in the number 1 spot in the rookie-scoring race. His 2007-2008 performance got him the Calder Memorial Trophy, ehich is awarded to the NHL’s best rookie, finishing ahed of his fellow teammate, Jonathan Toews. In the following year, Kane recorded 70 regular season points; he also had his 1st career hat trick (three goals scored by a single player in one game) against the Vancouver Canucks in the 2nd round of the 2009 playoffs. These three goals helped the hawks clinch their spot in the the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1995. This was the round that the Red Wings eliminated the Blackhawks and where Kane would finish his 1st NHL playoffs with fourteen