Kane Named Sporting News Top Rookie

From ChicagoBlackhawks.com: (link)

Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane has been named Rookie of the Year by Sporting News.

With 21 goals and 51 assists, Kane edged Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (69 points) for rookie scoring honors and received 110 of 287 votes to beat Backstrom (74) and Blackhawks teammate Jonathan Toews (69) as the top rookie. Ballots were sent to players on all 30 teams.

"Kane, 19, is one of two reasons the Blackhawks improved to 40-34-8 (Chicago was 31-42-9 last season) and missed the playoffs by only three points; rookie center Jonathan Toews is the other," wrote Sporting News.

Kane, Backstrom and Toews are the three finalists for the NHL's Calder Trophy awarded to the league's top rookie, which will be announced Thursday, June 12 during the 2008 NHL Awards Television Special.

The Sporting News NHL awards appear in the May 26 issue of the magazine and on the website at www.sportingnews.com.

Alex Ovechkin received 250 out of a possible 287 votes in winning Player of the Year honors.