After years of mediocrity, the Chicago Blackhawks finally began to show signs of waking from their slumber during the 2007-08 NHL season. American forward Patrick Kane wasn't the only reason, but he certainly was one of the biggest.
A native of Buffalo, NY, Kane drew early interest from Canadian junior hockey but spent two years playing for the U.S. National Development Team before joining the OHL's London Knights for their 2006-07 campaign. He made the most of his lone junior season, pacing the OHL with 145 points and adding 31 more in 16 playoff games.
Impressed, the Blackhawks used their highest ever pick in the NHL Entry Draft to take Kane first overall in 2007. Though he was only 18 years old at the beginning of the 2007-08 season, he made the team out of training camp and quickly showed he belonged, notching his first assist in the team's first game and beating the Detroit Red Wings with a shootout goal two days later.
Kane amassed 16 points in his first 12 games, and though his scoring exploits cooled a bit as the season went on, he led all rookies with 72 points and beat out teammate Jonathan Toews and Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom to win the Calder Trophy as the league's top newcomer.
Though Kane and Toews are rightfully linked together in collectors' minds and will build the future of the Blackhawks together, Kane's flashier offensive game may win out over the more well-rounded play of his teammate in the long term when it comes to their rookie cards. Certainly, low print run RC's like Kane's The Cup # 185 and Ultimate Collection # 159 are shaping up to be highly treasured for years to come.
2007-08 Patrick Kane Rookie Cards
- Be A Player # 220 - #'d to 99
- Black Diamond # 200
- Hot Prospects # 252 - autographed jersey card #'d to 199
- O-Pee-Chee # 518
- OPC Premier # 144 - autographed jersey card #'d to 299
- SP Authentic # 204 - autographed, #'d to 999
- SP Game Used # 199 - #'d to 99
- SPx # 232 - autographed jersey card
- Sweet Shot # 111 - jersey card #'d to 599
- The Cup # 185 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- UD Artifacts # 231
- UD Mini Jersey Collection # 111
- Ultimate Collection # 159 - autographed, #'d to 99
- Upper Deck # 210
- Upper Deck Ice # 221 - #'d to 99
- Upper Deck MVP # 355
- Upper Deck Trilogy # 133 - #'d to 999
- Upper Deck Victory # 335