Patrick Kane started the season facing a bogus rape accusation. He ended it cleared off the ice and the MVP on it.
The Professional Hockey Writers’ Association voted the Chicago Blackhawks forward the recipient of the NHL’s Hart Trophy. This makes Kane the first Blackhawks player to receive the honor since Stan Mikita did in 1968 and the first American-born player to ever win the award.
The right winger scored 46 goals and compiled 60 assists on the season to lead the league with 106 points. He set a Blackhawks record by recording points in 26 straight games.
Kane garnered 121 of 150 first-place ballots. Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby came in second in the voting, followed by Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn, Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby, and San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton.
Kane also won the Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in points and the Ted Lindsay Award as a result of his peers judging him the most outstanding player. Linemate Artemi Panarin won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year, Holtby captured the Vezina Trophy as the best goalie, his coach Barry Trotz took home the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year, Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar grabbed the Selke Trophy and Lady Byng Trophy for defense as a forward and sportsmanship, respectively, and his teammate Drew Doughty received the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenseman.