TORONTO - It's been over nine years since it was selected No. 1 overall in the NHL Entry Draft in Columbus. Chicago Blackhawks star and South Buffalo native Patrick Kane suddenly enters his 10th season in the NHL. Seemingly out of nowhere, it is almost 30 years to 20 and had another birthday coming Nov. 19
But Kane is far from the twilight of his career. He is coming off a season Hart Trophy awarded to the most valuable player of the league and is a leader for Team USA as it heads into the World Cup of Hockey.
"It's a little scary for sure," said Kane this week in the Air Canada Centre before the tournament the first Saturday's game against Team Europe (3:30, ESPN2). "I'm in my 10th year, but feel I was a young kid at heart, as I'm still on my first nine here in the league.
"But I'll be 28 later this year. It is amazing how time flies. There are still plenty in the tank, even a great team in front of us with the Custom Blackhawks Jersey, yet important occasions like the World Cup. you really want to take advantage of them and play well because you do not know how many opportunities you have left. Hopefully a little more. "
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Kane had his best season as a pro in 2015-16, setting career highs in goals, assists and point (46-60-106) while becoming the first American-born player to win the trophy Art Ross in the regular season scoring champion of the league. But the Blackhawks could not defend their third Stanley Cup title in five seasons, the abandonment of Seven game in St. Louis and was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the first time in five years. Kane scored one goal in the series.
