“With this historic pick. First time ever the Chicago Blackhawks have had the first pick. And we proudly select, from the London Knights, the Ontario Hockey League, Patrick Kane!”
Odds are former Blackhawks GM, Dale Tallon, didn’t have a magic crystal ball with him on June 22, 2007 – the night of the NHL Draft. But, given the way things turned out, you would almost think he did.
For 15 years, Chicago Blackhawks fans all over watched a 19-year-old kid grow from Rookie of the Year, to NHL All-Star, Stanley Cup champ, all the way to league MVP. And one day, we’ll watch the now 34-year-old veteran enter the Hockey Hall of Fame. Patrick Kane might be on the New York Rangers these days, but we still have nothing but love for #88.
So, let’s give him one final send-off with some of our favorite moments from Mr. Showtime himself!
Patrick Kane Scores His First Goal
It didn’t take long for Kane to start contributing to the Blackhawk’s offensive attack. Just seven games into his young NHL career, he scored in the first period at home against the Colorado Avalanche. Fellow Patrick, Mr. Sharp, assisted him on the play. Kane would go on to finish the game with two additional assists as the Blackhawks beat the Avalanche 5-3.
The First Hat Trick
If there was ever a moment to record your first hat trick, a semifinal playoff series might be one of the best options (excluding a Conference Championship and Stanley Cup Finals, of course).
On May 11, 2009, the United Center played Chelsea Dagger on repeat all thanks to Patrick Kane’s first career hat trick against the Vancouver Canucks. Neither team’s goalie could catch a break in a game that ended with the Blackhawks winning 7-5. Thanks to Kane’s heroics, the team would beat the Canucks in game 6 of their series.
The First Championship
Just 13 days shy of his three year anniversary of being selected first overall, Kane helped secure a Stanley Cup championship to end a 49-year drought for the team that drafted him. Despite being on the road for Game 6 and having to stay on the ice for an overtime period, Kane would find the strength to deliver for the Blackhawks with a goal after over four minutes of extra play.
Another Playoff Hat Trick
Like we said before, there are only two better times to score a hat trick than in a semifinal playoff series: during a Conference Championship, and during the Stanley Cup Finals.
In typical Patrick Kane fashion, the second hat trick of his career happened to come on June 8 in 2013 during game five of the Western Conference Finals. Facing the LA Kings, Kaner and the Hawks would need two overtime periods and four goals in all to put down the Kings to bed and secure another trip to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Stanley Cup #2
A little over two weeks after his second career hat trick, Patrick Kane and the Blackhawks would go on to win their second Stanley Cup of the decade as they defeated the Boston Bruins in a 4-2 series. Despite getting off to a slow start in the Finals, Kane would score two goals in an important game 5 before receiving the postseason MVP Conn Smythe Trophy award to go along with the cup.
Eclipsing 500 Points
Just eight games into their eventual Stanley Cup winning season, Patrick Kane reached a big milestone when he notched his 500th career point. While it wasn’t a goal that helped him hit the mark, it seemed pretty fitting that he assisted Jonathan Toews on the score. In the game, the Blackhawks would beat the Ottawa Senators with a final score of 2-1.
The Last Ring
Despite missing the final two months of the regular season with a broken collarbone, Patrick Kane and the Blackhawks found themselves hoisting the Stanley Cup for the third time in six seasons in June of 2015. The final series against the Tampa Bay Lightning ended up going to six games, with Kane scoring a goal and providing an assist in the clincher.
One Final Hat Trick
Not 10 days before being traded to New York, Kane made history at the United Center with his final hat trick in a Blackhawks uniform to help the team win 5-3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. To make things even more special, he became the first player to record 700 points at the UC.
If you asked us, we’d give anything to be able to relive all 700 of those points again. We can’t thank you enough for playing your heart out for the city for 15 years. We’ll always cherish those three Stanley Cups, and every goal and assist in between. We wish you all the best going forward. Now go win one more in the Big Apple!
Featured image credit: Chicago Blackhawks on Instagram