Patrick Sharp

Lore & Background

Sharp began his junior career at age 16 with the Kanata Valley Lasers of the CJHL, then played for the Thunder Bay Kings program and the Thunder Bay Flyers of the USHL. He played collegiate hockey at the University of Vermont before being drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round, 95th overall, of the 2001 NHL entry draft. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Flyers in 2002 and made his NHL debut in 2002–03, spending most of that season with the AHL affiliate Philadelphia Phantoms. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, he won the Calder Cup with the Phantoms.

On December 5, 2005, Sharp was traded by the Flyers (along with Éric Meloche) to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Matt Ellison and a third-round pick in the 2006 draft. He emerged with the Blackhawks in 2007–08, recording career-highs of 36 goals, 26 assists, and 62 points, and led the team in power-play goals, shorthanded goals, and game-winning goals. He was named an alternate captain for the Blackhawks in 2008. Sharp won his first Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2010, contributing 11 goals and 11 assists in 22 playoff games. He was named MVP of the 2011 NHL All-Star Game. In 2013, he won his second Stanley Cup, leading the Blackhawks in playoff goals with 10. He scored his third and fourth career NHL hat tricks during the 2013–14 season and was named to the Canadian Olympic team for the 2014 Winter Games, winning a gold medal. He won his third Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2015.

Sharp was traded to the Dallas Stars in 2015, where he spent two seasons, before returning to the Blackhawks in 2017. After retiring as a player, he worked as an analyst for NBC Sports and as a color commentator for Blackhawks broadcasts on NBC Sports Chicago. He was a member of the University of Vermont coaching staff in 2021, and in 2023 he joined the Flyers as a special adviser to hockey operations.

Reader's Guide

Patrick Sharp's career is defined by his integral role in the Chicago Blackhawks' dynasty of the 2010s, winning three Stanley Cup championships in six seasons. He was a consistent offensive contributor, leading the Blackhawks in goals for multiple seasons and recording a career-high 78 points in 2013–14. His versatility was evident in his ability to score at even strength, on the power play, and shorthanded. Sharp's playoff performances were particularly notable; he led the team in goals during the 2013 Stanley Cup run and contributed 22 points in 22 games during the 2010 championship. Beyond his on-ice achievements, Sharp represented Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics, winning a gold medal. After his playing career, he transitioned into broadcasting and later into hockey operations, serving as a special adviser to the Flyers. His legacy is that of a key forward on one of the NHL's most successful modern teams, with a career that spanned 15 seasons and included multiple individual and team honors.

Did You Know?

• He scored his third and fourth career NHL hat tricks within a span of four games in December 2013 and January 2014.
• Sharp won the Calder Cup with the Philadelphia Phantoms during the 2004–05 NHL lockout.
• He was traded from the Flyers to the Blackhawks on December 5, 2005, along with Éric Meloche.