In a 10-part series, we look back at the 10-year anniversary of the 2008-2009 season, the start of the Blackhawks dynasty.
One year after taking Jonathan Toews with the No. 3 overall pick, the Blackhawks picked first overall for the first time in franchise history and selected Patrick Kane.
The fortunes of the franchise had changed. It was time for the Blackhawks to compete.
Kane and Toews each made their NHL debuts during the 2007-08 season and were two of the three Calder Trophy candidates as the league's top rookies. Kane led all rookies in points (72), power play goals (7) and power play points (28) and established a new Blackhawks rookie record with 51 assists in a single season, en route to winning the award over his teammate.