Kane, Toews sign deal with Chevy dealer group

Two young stars for the Chicago Blackhawks, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, have signed an endorsement agreement with the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers, team officials announced Tuesday.

"The Chevrolet agreement is a sign of great credibility and signals how far our franchise has come," said Jay Blunk, Blackhawks senior vice president of Business Operations. "The local Chevy dealers have a long history of aligning with iconic Chicago sports legends and Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews have become nationally recognized in a very short period of time."

Under the agreement, Kane and Toews will be involved in Chevy's advertising and will participate in hockey-themed radio, television, print, online and digital media campaigns. The partnership officially launches with a "Blackhawks Fan of the Year" online contest this month, followed by an appearance by the duo at the Chevy Tuner display at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show later this month.

"We have a strong history of working with who is hot - Michael Jordan, Dan Hampton, Lou Piniella, Ozzie Guillen, and now Patrick and Jonathan," said Tom Gollinger, president of the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers. "A message is only relevant if you break thru the clutter and are actually heard. We expect to be heard loud and clear through these great young players."

Now in their second professional seasons, Kane and Toews recently finished first and second in Western Conference fan voting for the NHL All-Star Game. Last season, Kane captured the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie after leading Chicago with 72 points. Toews, the third-youngest captain in the history of the NHL, led league rookies in 2007-08 with 24 goals and finished as a finalist for the Calder Trophy.