Saad Looks to Join Blackhawks Trophy Winning Hierarchy
Former Spirit Captain Brandon Saad Looks to Join Blackhawks Trophy Winning Hierarchy
The Chicago Blackhawks have enjoyed a proud history of franchise players skating away with major awards at the conclusion of an NHL season. Teammates Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita were fixtures in collecting hardware in the 1960’s securing 11 Hart and Art Ross Trophy recognitions between them in the decade. Glenn Hall and Tony Esposito were also frequent flyers when it came to taking home Vezina Trophies as Top Goaltender with 5 acknowledgements among the pair while stopping pucks in the Windy City.
Now with the announcement that Brandon Saad is one of three finalists for the Calder Trophy, the Blackhawks organization is in position to have its ninth recipient of the NHL’s top rookie honor. Some of the past winners are familiar names. Former Peterborough Petes and Niagara Falls Flyers forward Steve Larmer, who toiled on Hawks teams with Spirit Coach Greg Gilbert, was once named the top first year player in the league. So was, the after mentioned Esposito, whose 15 shutouts in his first go around the circuit in 1969-70 still stands as the rookie benchmark in a season. Ed Belfour also parlayed the honing of his skills as a former member of the Saginaw Hawks into a Calder Trophy, with Pat Kane the last Chicago skater to take home the award five years ago.
As the decision on the vote for the Calder Trophy draws near, it looks like a tight race with Florida’s Jonathan Huberdeau, and Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher also in the mix with Saad. However, while winning a major NHL award would be a welcome addition to the Pittsburgh native’s trophy case, you can bet his primary focus these days is trying to help guide the Blackhawks to their second Stanley Cup victory in the past four seasons. Win or lose being among the three finalists for the honor is a tremendous achievement by Saad, and regardless of the outcome, he has certainly served notice that the best is likely yet to come.
