General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the Blackhawks have signed forward Patrick Kane to a 3-year contract. Kane, 18, was selected by the Blackhawks with the number one overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft last month.

“Patrick is a dynamic and exciting young player. We’re pleased that he will begin a long and productive career with the Blackhawks when we open camp on September 13. Patrick will get every opportunity to earn a spot on the Opening Night roster,” Tallon said.

“The Blackhawks organization has treated my family and me in a first class manner and I’m looking forward to a long and exciting career with the team,” Kane said. “The first step will be to come to what will be a very competitive training camp and earn a spot on the roster.”

Kane stands at 5.10 and weighs 160 pounds. Last season with London (OHL), Kane led all Canadian Major Junior players with 62 goals and 83 assists for 145 points in 58 games. His plus/minus rating was plus-42.

A native of Buffalo NY, Kane captured several awards during the 2006-07 OHL season, including: leading scorer; Rookie of the Year; Top Draft Prospect and 1st team All-Star.

On the international stage, Kane was one of the top scorers at the 2007 World Junior Championships with five goals and four assists in nine games in a bronze medal effort for the United States. He was named to the All-Tournament team along with fellow Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews.

Kane is the first player ever drafted number one overall by the Blackhawks and he is one of five players in Blackhawk history taken with one of the top three overall picks in the Entry Draft. The others are Denis Savard (1980, 3rd overall), Eddie Olczyk (1984, 3rd overall), Cam Barker (2004, 3rd overall) and Toews (2006, 3rd overall).

All five are currently with the Blackhawks in some capacity. Kane, Barker and Toews are current players. Savard is about to begin his first full season as head coach and Olczyk is the Blackhawks television analyst.

YES!!!!!! i can play as Patrick Kane in NHL 08

Hawks top pick may play in opener
Posted: Thursday July 26, 2007 08:00AM ET

Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon and head coach Denis Savard both have indicated 2007 No. 1 overall draft pick Patrick Kane has an excellent chance to be in the Hawks' opening night lineup Oct. 4 when they visit the Wild. The Hawks signed Kane to a three-year contract Wednesday.