Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane Becomes NHL’s First US-Born Hart Trophy Winner Since 1925

Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane became the first American-born player since 1925 to win the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player on Wednesday.

Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane Becomes NHL’s First US-Born Hart Trophy Winner Since 1925

Billy Burch, who was born in Yonkers in 1900 and played as a centre/forward for the Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins among others, became the first American-born MVP in 1925. However, Burch moved to Canada at a young age and identified himself as a Canadian.

Thus, Kane, 27, is the first NHL player born and raised in the US to win the Hart Trophy. Kane also won the 2016 Art Ross Trophy by leading the NHL with a career-high 106 points, generating a 17-point edge on the second-place finisher, Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn. Kane’s second-best output was 88 points in 2009-10, so this past season was easily his most productive.

CSN Chicago’s Tracey Myers corrected herself on Twitter after she realized she had erroneously called Kane the first-ever US-born NHL player to win the Hart Trophy.

An Associated Press sports writer then responded:

Pittsburgh Penguins centerman Sidney Crosby was also a finalist for the 2016 Hart Trophy.

Kane was born and raised in Buffalo, playing every year of his amateur hockey in the United States, save for his pre-draft season in the Canadian junior ranks.

Actor Michael Keaton presented the award, and Kane showed some love for the movie star, calling him “the best Batman ever.”

The Blackhawks winger secured 1,395 votes from the Pro Hockey Writers Association– which chooses the MVP– including 12 first-place votes. Crosby, who helped lead the Penguins to this year’s Stanley Cup, was the runner-up with 800 points and only 11 first-place votes. Benn came in third with 637 points and eight first-place votes.

Kane’s 106 points represented an 18-point increase from his previous career high. He also scored 46 goals, 16 more than his previous career best. Kane has already won three Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015 as a member of the Blackhawks, who drafted him as the first overall pick in 2007.

The Blackhawk took the time to praise Crosby and Benn in his acceptance speech. “Obviously, I have to congratulate Jamie and Sid on tremendous years, especially Sid on the Cup,” said Kane. “You guys are two of my favorite players in the game, and I love watching you guys on TV every night.”

Kane finished by thanking one of his oldest childhood friends as well as Chicago fans, and also dedicated the award to his father.

In addition to winning the Hart, Kane also set the record for the longest point-scoring streak by an American in NHL history. In a 26-game run from Oct. 17 to Dec. 13, 2015, he put up 40 points, thus leaving people wondering if he could surpass Wayne Gretzky’s 51-game mark.

Kane was also the subject of a rape investigation after he was accused of assaulting a woman in his Buffalo-area home in August. After the lengthy investigation, no charges were ever brought against Kane, with the Erie County District Attorney stating there was no evidence to support the claim. The NHL also investigated the situation and found no reason for additional discipline against the forward.

Article by Pablo Mena