Is there anything worse than someone telling you that you’re not good at something? Probably not, but it’s best to use it as motivation and take it as a challenge. That’s exactly what Patrick Kane did in 2009.
Kane had just registered his second consecutive 70 point season and scored 25 goals in his sophomore campaign. At only 20 years old he had a huge part in helping the Blackhawks reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
The Blackhawks had just taken care of the Calgary Flames in the first round and were on to Vancouver. At the time the Canucks were regulars in the playoffs thanks to the Sedins. Though, it wasn’t them that made the biggest difference in the series. It was journeyman, Willie Mitchell, who would take that honor. For the wrong reason.
Maybe it was because Kane had more power play goals than even strength goals that season (12 EV, 13 PP). Or, it could have been that he was trying to get in the 20 year old Kane’s head. Whatever his motivation was, he was wrong.
Willie Mitchell said Kane “couldn’t play five on five.”
According to a recent interview with Nick Kypreos, the next morning Scotty Bowman handed Kane a copy of the newspaper as they headed to the bus. Kane seemingly unaffected by the quote, clinched the Vancouver series with his first career hat trick.
Later Kane said he was “fired up” by Mitchell’s quote.
That’s for sure. Patrick Kane was poised to have a great career already, but this may have been a moment that changed the trajectory of his career.
Since that series, Kane is 5th in regular season even strength goals and 1st in the playoffs. He didn’t even rank in the top 50 after his first two seasons, even with back to back 20+ goal showings. His sophomore season is the only time he has had more PP goals than EV and he has never even come close to doing that again.
There is no doubt that Kane can play five on five.
Showtime has added a Conn Smythe, Art Ross, Hart Memorial and Ted Lindsey award and is positioning himself for the Hart and Ross once again.
Thanks Willie Mitchell!
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