It was a formality, but it's official.
Patrick Kane is the NHL's 2015-16 Art Ross Trophy winner, becoming the first American-born player to take the honor. In his ninth season, Kane was never better, setting a Chicago Blackhawks record by notching a point in 26 straight games.
"There's been some great seasons by American-born players," Kane said, according to the Chicago-Sun Times' Mark Lazerus. "I'm lucky and fortunate to be the first one to win it."
It's Kane's first Art Ross, and it was a career year across the board for the winger. Kane, a 20-goal scorer in every season he's been in the league, hit 40 for the first time, obliterating his previous career high of 30 goals by finishing with 46 - second only to Alex Ovechkin.
Playing with rookie Artemi Panarin, the likely Calder Trophy winner, Kane racked up a career-best 60 assists, as Panarin finished with 30 goals.
Kane is the only player this season to reach the century mark, his 106 points bettering his best season by 18 points. He's the fourth player to hit 100 or more points in the last five non-lockout seasons, joining Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Daniel Sedin.
There's more: Kane's 1.29 points per game ranked first in the league - and it wasn't even close. Jamie Benn, last year's Art Ross winner, finished second at 1.09. Kane's 37 power-play points were also most in the league, and his 17 power-play goals and nine game-winning goals ranked second.
A banner season, no doubt. And it's only going to get better - another Stanley Cup may be in the cards, along with a Hart Trophy.
"I take a lot of pride in (being the first American to win the Art Ross), but I also take a lot of pride in doing it with the Blackhawks," Kane said. "I owe a lot to my teammates, coaches and the organization as I couldn’t have done this without them. This has been a special season, but we still have a lot to accomplish as a team and I look forward to another long run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs."
