Elite Prospects Hockey

 Elite Prospects Alumni Pat Kane is one of two reasons the Chicago Blackhawks improved to 40-34-8 (Chicago was 31-42-9 last season) and missed the playoffs by only three points: the other is fellow rookie Jonathan Toews (Team Western Canada Elite Prospects Alumni). Kane edged out Washington Capitals Nicklas Backstrom to earn the Sporting News Rookie of the Year and is waiting until the NHL Awards later this month to find out if he will take NHL Rookie of the Year honors as well. Kane compiled 72 points (21 goals, 51 assists) this past season in Chicago. Elite Prospects Showcase Director Don Harkins talked with Kane recently about his rookie season. "Kaner just told me that he wants to improve on when things aren't going well to forget about them and move on quickly and not dwell on things to much" stated Harkins. "He said that he knows he is going to get 1 or 2 really good scoring chances per game and he wants to capitalize on those opportunities." "We just talked about normal stuff, he told me he bought a new car and that he was going to get his own place next year in Chicago (this past season he lived with Assistant GM Stan Bowman and his family), we talked about our Honeybaked 88 Reunion this Summer at one of our players parents lakehouse, and how one of Harkins's former players and Kane's teammate was going through a tough time in his hockey career and how we are both trying to help him through it". "I joked with him last time I was through Buffalo and stopped at his house I schooled him in a game of horse but he assured his former coach that this time it will be different as on days where the Hawks wouldn't skate at the United Center he would shoot around with the Bulls players, so he is ready for me" laughed Harkins. Despite his star status he is just Kaner to his old coach. "He sounds more mature, more grown up on the phone, but I know he stills looks 14" added Harkins.