Thu Jun 12 20:12:49 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Kane named NHL's top rookie

---

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane was named the winner of the 2007-08 Calder Memorial Trophy as the best rookie in the NHL.

Kane won the award with 71 of 133 first-place votes and 1,078 points over teammate Jonathan Toews and Nick Backstrom of Washington. Kane tallied 21 goals and 51 assists in 82 games this season and led all rookies in total points.

This award was won by a Chicago player for the first time since goaltender Ed Belfour took it home in 1990-91. In fact, the last time a Blackhawk was a finalist for this award was in 1996, when Eric Daze finished in second behind Daniel Alfredsson.

Toews led NHL rookies in goals (24) despite missing five weeks of action with a knee injury, while Backstrom finished with 14 goals and 55 assists for the upstart Capitals.