The first half of the
Chicago Blackhawks 2016-2017 season has been filled with wins as they've been atop the Western Conference much of the season. There have been many highlight reel plays but it has also had many accomplishments of significance that made the majority of this list.
#5 Artemi Panarin's 100th Point
While 100 career points doesn't seem that significant, it's the
pace at which Panarin reached it. It only took him 110 games to get there and puts him on a list with only 27 other NHL players. Nine of those players are in the Hall off fame and he is the fastest reach it since teammate Patrick Kane.
https://youtu.be/5cqyIluqNM0
#4 Duncan Keith Passes Pierre Pilote
Twice. On November 18th, Keith scored his 78th career goal to put him ahead of
Pierre Pilote for fourth on the Blackhawks all-time scoring list for defenseman. Then on December 15th, Keith passed the Hall of Famer again, into fourth, for most points by a Blackhawks defenseman. The two-time Norris Trophy winner is making his case for the greatest d-man in the organization's history.
Here's Keith opening up scoring the 2015 Stanley Cup Final.
https://youtu.be/zewTop3Qai0
#3 Patricks Kane's 700th Point
Kane became the sixth player to reach the milestone with the Blackhawks, joining Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull, Denis Savard, Steve Larmer and Doug Wilson. He was also the sixth American-born player to do so in less than 10 seasons. Ever the jokester, he had this to say when asked about it, "It probably means I'm getting old."
https://youtu.be/lAwZqG0BwHs
#2 Artemi Panarin Signs Extension
In a move that many people didn't think the Blackhawks could pull of,
they did. Panarin is a budding superstar that complements Patrick Kane perfectly. This will most likely signify the end for a fan-favorite core player but a team cannot pass on a player with Panarin's proven ability. You don't want him doing this against you.
https://youtu.be/3S-SEnLzKc4
#1 Marian Hossa's 500th Goal
Hossa wasted no time getting his 500th goal after ending last season stuck on 499. On October 18th, he became the 44th player in NHL history to reach the mark and the third Slovakia-born player to do so. A fun fact is that all three Slovakians with 500 goals reached the milestone while wearing a Blackhawks sweater(Stan Mikita and Peter Bondra). His career is a testament to consistency and longevity.
https://youtu.be/4FrY93MEhMI
