Patrick Kane has found himself a big opportunity heading into the World Cup Of Hockey. The 27-year-old Chicago Blackhawks forward has a chance of redemption as well as a leadership role heading into the international tournament in Toronto later this month.
The memories of the 2010 and 2014 Olympics haunt Kane, as he was unable to defeat Canada in the gold medal game in 2010, and couldn’t even catch a bronze medal in 2014 vs Finland. Being one of the best American NHL players in recent years, Kane is facing a lot of pressure.
Kane won the Art Ross Trophy, the Hart Memorial Trophy, and the Ted Lindsay Award last season, decorating himself as the flashiest player in the 2015-16 season. His franchise record breaking 26 game point streak kept the NHL in awe and he nearly seemed unstoppable with his 46 goals and 60 assists for a total of 106 points.
Not everything has been glistening for Kane during his nine year career. His three Stanley Cup rings have nearly completed his outstanding resume, but one thing that’s missing is an accomplishment on an international level.
Kane won a gold medal in 2006 against Sweden with team USA‘s U18 during the IIHF tournaments and then won a bronze vs Sweden again in 2007 at the World Junior Championships. At such a young level of hockey, that’s seemingly not enough for such a talented forward.
Patrick Kane Looks For Redemption In World Cup Of Hockey
While Kane played in the Olympics in 2010, he scored three goals and two assists in six games when falling to Team Canada in the gold medal game. In the 2014 Olympics Kane missed two penalty shots when losing to Team Finland in the bronze medal game. Unfortunately, he didn’t score a single goal during the entire tournament.
With the World Cup Of Hockey coming up Kane is finding himself to be a leader. After last season he’s to be considered one of the best american-born players of his time, and he needs to be at his best if he wants to win something admirable at an international level.
While alongside players such as Max Pacioretty, Joe Pavelski, Blake Wheeler, Derek Stepan, Zach Parise, and T.J. Oshie, his chances of scoring more and leading others to greatness seem a lot more probable than past years.
It won’t be just Kane who has to have an outstanding performance in Toronto. His presence will be extraordinary but all pieces need to fit correctly if Team USA wants to correct their mistakes that were visible in 2014’s winter Olympics in Sochi.
If Kane and his team can accomplish the ultimate goal it will be Team USA’s first title since 1996 when they beat Canada, proclaiming that they had a spot in hockey’s great history. A title this time around will redeem that proclamation as well since Canada has dominated the last two Olympics.
One thing is certain:
If Kane can bring home a championship at the WCOH, his hockey resume will be one of the best coming out of the USA in decades.
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