Hawks centre Patrick Kane takes home Calder Trophy as rookie of the year
2008-06-12 20:10:00
TORONTO - A year ago, pundits debated whether a skinny skid named Patrick Kane could crack the NHL as an 18-year-old after being the first overall pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the entry draft.
The answer: would he ever.
The native of Buffalo, N.Y., was awarded the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year Thursday night, capping an impressive season that saw him lead all NHL freshmen with 72 points (21-51) in 82 games. He's the first Hawk to win the Calder since goalie Ed Belfour in 1990-91.
Kane beat out Hawks linemate Jonthan Toews and Washington Capitals centre Nicklas Backstrom for the award. Toews led all rookies with 24 goals despite missing more than a month with a knee injury. Backstrom was second in rookie scoring with 69 points (14-55) in 82 games.
The Calder is voted on by selected members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. And Kane got the writers' attention early, roaring out of the gate gangbusters. He recorded 16 points in October, the most in the opening month of the season by a rookie since 1992-93.
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“I think when you’re at home the first two games, sometimes you get a little bit too comfortable at home. Then you come on the road, maybe it’s like a rude awakening…We’ve had three series to figure that out, learn it. We definitely want to be better (Monday), especially in the first game on the road.”
- Chicago's Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks are 0-3 in Game 3s this playoff.
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