My NHL idol: Blackhawks' Schmaltz says idol growing up was Patrick Kane

Posted April 13, 2017 1:00 am

By John Dietz

jdietz@dailyherald.com

Last year during the Stanley Cup playoffs we asked Blackhawks players who they idolized growing up. Since the 2016 postseason lasted just seven games for coach Joel Quenneville's squad, we thought we'd reprise that storyline for 2017.

This season, we'll start with Nick Schmaltz. The Wisconsin native and Hawks rookie chose none other than teammate Patrick Kane.

"(His) patience with the puck is second to none," Schmaltz said. "It was fun to watch him growing up and it's even cooler to be a part of it on his team."

What impresses Schmaltz most about last year's MVP?

"Just watching him, how he controls the game. It looks like he's just doing everything in slow motion. Only the best players in the world can do that where it looks like they're almost not playing as fast as everyone. In their mind, everything's just a little bit slower. It's tough to do, so it's something fun to watch that's for sure."

Recapping 2016 selections

Idols chosen by Hawks players last season:

Patrick Kane - Pat LaFontaine

Niklas Hjalmarsson - Nicklas Linstrom

Andrew Desjardins - Joe Sakic

Scott Darling - Ed Belfour

Marcus Kruger - Peter Forsberg

Andrew Shaw - Wendel Clark

Teuvo Teravainen - Teemu Selanne

Nick Schmaltz Courtesy of Chicago Blackhawks

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