Patrick Kane

Patrick Kane (Google images ())

Superman, Batman, those are the heroes we all know. The hero that Chicago knows is Patrick Kane but he did it without the mask. Patrick Kane was born on November 19, 1988 in Buffalo. He began playing hockey at the age of seven. The Kane family quickly noticed he had a great talent. They enrolled him in several leagues at once. By the time Kane was nine he was banned from playing with kids his own age level. When Kane turned fourteen he moved to Detroit where he played with the mid-west elite hockey league. As only a freshman he was offered a college scholarship, as well as a place on the U.S. National development program. Kane went on to play for the Ontario hockey league until he was drafted into the NHL in 2007. Once Kane's skill was noticed with the pros, he was asked to play in the 2010 Winter Olympics. Kane gladly said yes! He helped the USA get the silver medal in the 2010 winter Olympics. Kane came back to Chicago wanting to win and that's exactly what he did. The Blackhawks went to the Stanley cup and Kane scored the game winning goal in overtime.(Patrick Kane." Newsmakers. Vol. 4. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 21 May 2012). Hockey star, Patrick Kane is one of the smallest and youngest players in the game, but that does not stop Kane from playing with the best, From the NHL, all the way to the Olympics. Kane can do it all and even have time for his fans. This took heart, leadership, and effort.

Patrick Kane quickly became the star of Chicago and the NHL. "He had 21 goals and 51 assists in his first season with the Chicago Blackhawks." "(Patrick Kane." Newsmakers. Vol. 4. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 21 May 2012). Becoming the leading goal scorer in your first season in the NHL is an amazing achievement. Not every hockey player can do that. This just goes to show the true skill and leadership of Patrick Kane.  Kane managed to do all of this and still have time for his fans and our armed forces that protect our country.  Patrick Kane was asked to drop the puck for the police vs. fire department hockey game. Kane said, "It was amazing to get to speak with the people who put their lives on the line for us every day."  "(Patrick Kane." Newsmakers. Vol. 4. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 21 May 2012). To notice what these people do for you and to take a whole day and spend it with them takes a special person. This really sets an example for the rest of his team showing his leadership on and off the ice. Pro athletes do not realize at such a young age what they are doing with their lives and with their money, but when you have someone like Patrick Kane to set that example for you it really helps structure a team.

 The one thing you can control in your life is your effort. Kane's effort to spend time with cancer patients shows that he isn't all about hockey. After Patrick Kane's game winning goal in the Stanley cup, he brought it home to Buffalo. Kane went to the local cancer hospital. "There's always other things you can accomplish, and I think one of the biggest things, even coming here today, you want to make yourself a better person", said Kane. "(Patrick Kane." Newsmakers. Vol. 4. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 20 May 2012). For such a young player this really proves that size and age doesn't matter. It's not every day you come across a 19 year old kid with all this money making such an impact. Kane's effort in the hockey world are even better. When Kane came to play in the NHL he took it head on, Kane said, "This is just another chapter in the books. Obviously, I have to prove myself at the next level and prove my size once again to prove people wrong." "(Patrick Kane." Newsmakers. Vol. 4. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 21 May 2012). This inspires me to be the best that I can be with my own body and to give the most effort that I possibly can at whatever I'm doing. Kane proved size and weight do not matter and I one day want to do the same. What Kane did to get to this level of hockey was not easy but with his great effort he dominates the ice and shows it off the ice as well.

Patrick Kane 88 (Google images ())

Heart is the most important quality that Kane has and he shows it every day. Kane's first season in the NHL he was the awarded the Calder Trophy becoming the league's rookie of the year. ("Patrick Kane." Newsmakers. Vol. 4. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 21 May 2012). To play in the NHL isn't easy and to get rookie of the year is even more impressive. Kane is truly an extraordinary hockey player and he continues to demonstrate it. Patrick Kane continued to improve and even with his disadvantage of height and weight he wasn't affected. "He scored 4 more goals then he did in his rookie year. He finished the season with 25 goals. Kane led his Blackhawks to the playoffs for the first time in 6 years." "(Patrick Kane." Newsmakers. Vol. 4. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 21 May 2012). No one ever thought Kane was going to make it in the big leagues. He constantly shows his heart and love for the game. It takes a lot of heart to stand up against someone who is bigger and stronger then you are and it really helps encourage his teammates to not cower away from anything.   

Kane's Heart, Leadership, and effort helped shape the Blackhawks and the city of Chicago. The Blackhawks hadn't been a winning team in quite a while and I think the fans  had lost their desire for it. From scoring game winning goals to visiting cancer hospitals Kane has shown that he has contributed much to his hockey team and the world. Patrick Kane has turned the city of Chicago into something they have been missing. They became Stanley cup champions! "Kane played in the NHL all-stars game within his second season. He has played in it now every season since." "(Patrick Kane." Newsmakers. Vol. 4. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 21 May 2012). Kane has been able to accomplish so much here in Chicago and I think all of his fans recognize it. He has given so much heart, leadership, and effort to this organization, and that is why he inspires me and why he is a true hero.