Patrick Sharp

Lore & Background

Sharp played collegiate hockey at the University of Vermont before he was drafted by the Flyers in 2001. He began his NHL career with the Flyers organization, but was traded to the Blackhawks in 2005. He became a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Blackhawks in 2010, 2013 and 2015. He was later traded to the Stars in 2015, where he spent two seasons before returning to the Blackhawks in 2017. Sharp also represented Canada at the 2014 Winter Games, where he won an Olympic gold medal.

Reader's Guide

Sharp began his junior career at age 16 playing for the Kanata Valley Lasers of the CJHL with his older brother, then the next year they both played in Thunder Bay, Ontario, playing for the Thunder Bay Kings program then for the former Thunder Bay Flyers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). From there, he continued his hockey career in the college ranks with the University of Vermont, before the Philadelphia Flyers selected him in the third round, 95th overall, of the 2001 NHL entry draft. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Flyers on May 21, 2002. He made his NHL debut in 2002–03, playing in three games with the Flyers but spending most of the season with their AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms. In 2003–04, he split the season between the Flyers and Phantoms. Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Sharp spent the entire following season in the AHL with the Phantoms, registering 23 goals and 29 assists (52 points) in 75 regular-season games and eight goals and 13 assists (21 points) in 21 playoff games en route to a Calder Cup championship. 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 NHL entry draft. He finished the season with a combined 31 points between the two teams. Sharp emerged with the Blackhawks in 2007–08, recording career-highs of 36 goals, 26 assists and 62 points in 80 games. He led the Blackhawks in power play goals (nine), shorthanded goals (seven) and game-winning goals (seven). On January 17, 2008, Sharp signed a new, four-year contract with the Blackhawks lasting through to the end of the 2011–12 season. On October 8, 2008, Sharp was named an alternate captain for the Blackhawks, along with Duncan Keith. He finished the 2008–09 season with 44 points (26 goals, 18 assists) in 61 games. Sharp played all 82 games for the Blackhawks in the 2009–10 season with 25 goals and 41 assists for 66 points. On June 9, 2010, Sharp won the Stanley Cup with Chicago over the Philadelphia Flyers. He contributed 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points in all 22 games during Chicago's 2010 playoff run. On January 30, 2011, Sharp was named the Most Valuable Player in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game. He ended the 2010–11 campaign playing in 74 games with a team leading 34 goals along with 37 assists for 71 points.

Did You Know?

• Sharp scored his second career NHL hat-trick on November 25, 2011, against the Anaheim Ducks.
• Sharp scored his third and fourth career NHL hat-tricks in the 2013–14 season, on December 27, 2013, and January 3, 2014.