Kane, Toews give Hawks bright future
Blackhawks president John McDonough was asked Friday how it felt to have franchise players such as Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews to build around for the future.
"You couldn't find two better kids to represent your franchise than Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, albeit completely different," McDonough said. "Patrick is a little looser and Jonathan is all business. They are really are going to represent that symbol of the new Chicago Blackhawks."
A few minutes earlier at a United Center news conference saluting Kane for winning the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year and Toews for finishing third in the voting, the Hawks' two young stars showed exactly what McDonough meant.
Kane joked that he thought he had a $500 bet with his teammate about the outcome of the Calder Trophy race.
"No, we didn't," Toews said. "I know better than that. I knew what was going to happen."
Kane was the runaway winner, becoming the Hawks' first rookie of the year since goaltender Ed Belfour in 1991. At the news conference attended by hundreds of invited area youth hockey players, Kane again thanked those responsible for helping him win the award, including his family, coaches and teammates.
Kane also thanked Hawks fans for their support.
"You see it right here with youth hockey in attendance," Kane said. "It's truly great to see that hockey is back in Chicago and it's great to be a part of."
The news conference Friday was the unofficial kickoff for what promises to be a newsworthy next six weeks for the Hawks.
It figures to start next week with the announcement that Pat Foley is returning as television play-by-play man, to be followed by the draft in Ottawa.
Then it's on to the start of free agency on July 1, rookie camp on July 6 and the Hawks' first fan convention on July 18 that is drawing attention from all around the NHL.
"It's interesting that when I was in Toronto (Thursday), I must have had 15 clubs and 10 league executives approach us to say they were going to be coming to this event," McDonough said. "Hopefully this will be something that the NHL will look at as a bridge between the end of the hockey season and the start of another and really be a great marketing tool, not only for the Blackhawks but for the league."
The fan convention could be where the NHL announces that the Hawks will be hosting the next outdoor game Jan. 1 at either Wrigley Field or Soldier Field.
McDonough confirmed Friday that the decision is between two teams: the Hawks and the New York Rangers, who still hope to play the game as the final event in Yankee Stadium.
"Within due time they're going to make a decision and we'll wait out the process," McDonough said. "We don't want to take anything for granted. It's I'm sure a very difficult decision for them. They want to make the right decision, but I'm very confident we're in contention for it."
The Hawks have the 11th pick in the draft, and general manager Dale Tallon said he has had casual discussions with teams about possibly trading up or down.