Patrick Kane

On July 25, 2007, Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon announced that they had signed right winger Patrick Kane to a three year contract.He made his NHL debut on October 4, 2007, against the Minnesota Wild, and had his first assist and first shootout goal, a game-winner, two days later against Dominik Hašek of the

Detroit Red Wings.On October 19, 2007, he scored his first NHL regulation time goal on José Théodore of the Colorado Avalanche.With a quick start to his rookie campaign, Kane was named the NHL Rookie of the Month for October on November 2, 2007, after tallying 5 goals and 11 assists in 12 games. On December 15, 2007, Kane and the Blackhawks visited the Buffalo Sabres for a regular season game. It was the first time Kane had come back to Buffalo as a pro hockey player. Kane received a special cheer from his hometown and a special ceremony was held before the game. The Blackhawks lost the game 3-1 with Kane scoring their lone goal.

Kane finished his first NHL campaign atop the rookie scoring race with 72 points. On June 12, 2008, he received the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL's best rookie player finishing ahead of teammate Jonathan Toews and Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Bäckström.

The following season, Kane and Toews helped lead a rejuvenated Blackhawks team back to the playoffs. After recording 70 points in the regular season, Kane notched his first career hat trick in the 2009 playoffs against the Vancouver Canucks in the second round on May 11, 2009. The Blackhawks won the game 7-5, and clinched their spot to the Western Conference Final for the first time since 1995.After the game, Kane told the Chicago Sun-Times that he was "fired up" after Canucks defenseman Willie Mitchell claimed that Kane "couldn't play five-on-five."He finished his first NHL playoffs with 14 points in 16 games as the Blackhawks were eliminated in the Western Conference Finals by the Detroit Red Wings.

In May 2009, the Chicago Tribune reported that Kane would be the cover athlete for EA Sports' NHL 10.

In the final season of his initial rookie contract, Kane signed a 5-year, reported $31,500,000 extension to remain with the Blackhawks on December 3, 2009. The deal was announced simultaneously with contract extensions to both Toews and defenseman Duncan Keith, as well.

On June 9, 2010 Patrick Kane scored the overtime winner as the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in Game six of the best of seven series. The goal ended a 49-year Stanley Cup drought for the Blackhawks.