Patrick Sharp

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Sharp's journey began in junior hockey with the Kanata Valley Lasers and Thunder Bay Flyers before he honed his skills at the University of Vermont. Selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round (95th overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, he signed a three-year entry-level contract on May 21, 2002. After splitting time between the Flyers and their AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, he won a Calder Cup with the Phantoms during the 2004–05 lockout. His trajectory shifted dramatically on December 5, 2005, when he was traded to Chicago alongside Éric Meloche for Matt Ellison and a third-round pick. This move ignited his career; by 2007–08, he posted career highs of 36 goals and 62 points. Named an alternate captain in 2008 alongside Duncan Keith, Sharp became a cornerstone of the young core led by Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, evolving into one of the league's most dangerous two-way forwards.

In Their Own Story

The Blackhawks' championship run began on June 9, 2010, when Sharp secured his first Stanley Cup against his former team, the Philadelphia Flyers. He tallied 22 points in 22 playoff games, including 11 goals and 11 assists. His individual brilliance continued into 2011, where he was named MVP of the All-Star Game with one goal and two assists. In the shortened 2012–13 season, despite a separated shoulder sustained on March 6 against Ryan O'Byrne, Sharp returned to lead Chicago to their second title in four years. He scored 10 goals in the playoffs, helping erase a 3–1 deficit against Detroit before defeating Boston in six games. The 2015 campaign saw him overcome a leg injury from Alexei Emelin to win his third Cup. In that run, he recorded 15 points in 23 games as Chicago defeated Nashville, Minnesota, Anaheim (erasing another 3–2 deficit), and Tampa Bay.

Reader's Guide

Fans should note Sharp's incredible versatility and clutch scoring ability throughout his time in Chicago. He was a three-time hat-trick scorer for the Blackhawks, including one on November 25, 2011, against the Anaheim Ducks where Jonathan Toews recorded primary assists on all three goals. On December 27, 2013, he scored another against Colorado, and just four days later on January 3, 2014, netted his fourth against New Jersey. His peak offensive season came in 2013–14 with a career-high 78 points (34 goals, 44 assists). Beyond the regular stats, Sharp was a key playoff performer, leading the team in goals during their 2013 championship run. He played all 82 games for Chicago in both 2009–10 and 2013–14, showcasing remarkable durability before his trade to Dallas on July 10, 2015, where he spent two seasons before a brief return to Chicago in 2017.

Did You Know?

• Sharp won a Calder Cup with the Philadelphia Phantoms during the 2004–05 NHL lockout.
• He scored four career NHL hat-tricks while playing for the Blackhawks.
• In the 2013 playoffs, Sharp led the Blackhawks in goals (10) and played in all 23 games.
• Sharp was named MVP of the 2011 NHL All-Star Game with one goal and two assists.
• He represented Canada at the 2014 Winter Games, winning an Olympic gold medal.