Patrick Sharp facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Patrick Sharp
Sharp in January 2020
Born	(1981-12-27) December 27, 1981 (age 43) Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	194 lb (88 kg; 13 st 12 lb)
Position	Left Wing
Shot	Right
Played for	Philadelphia Flyers Chicago Blackhawks Dallas Stars
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	95th overall, 2001 Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career	2002–2018

Patrick Sharp (born December 27, 1981) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played for 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). His teams included the Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Dallas Stars.

After he stopped playing, Sharp became a hockey expert for TV. He worked as an analyst for NBC Sports. He also did commentary for Blackhawks games on NBC Sports Chicago. In 2023, he joined the Flyers again. This time, he became a special adviser to help with hockey decisions. Sharp also helped coach the University of Vermont team in 2021.

Sharp played college hockey at the University of Vermont. The Flyers chose him in the 2001 NHL draft. He started his NHL career with the Flyers. But he was traded to the Blackhawks in 2005. He became a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Blackhawks. He won the Cup in 2010, 2013, and 2015.

In 2015, he was traded to the Stars. He played there for two seasons. Then he returned to the Blackhawks in 2017. Sharp also played for Team Canada. He won an Olympic gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Playing career

Junior and college

Patrick Sharp started playing junior hockey when he was 16. He played for the Kanata Valley Lasers. Then he and his older brother played for the Thunder Bay Kings. After that, they played for the Thunder Bay Flyers.

From there, he went to play college hockey. He joined the University of Vermont team. In 2001, the Philadelphia Flyers chose him in the NHL draft. He was the 95th player picked overall.

Professional

Philadelphia Flyers

Sharp in June 2005. He won the Calder Cup with the Philadelphia Phantoms during the 2004–05 NHL lockout.

After two years at Vermont, Sharp signed a contract with the Flyers in 2002. He played his first NHL games in the 2002–03 season. He played three games with the Flyers. Most of that season, he played for their minor league team. This team was the Philadelphia Phantoms in the American Hockey League (AHL). He scored 33 points in 53 games for them.

In the 2003–04 season, he split his time. He played for both the Flyers and the Phantoms. He scored seven points in 41 games with the Flyers. He had 29 points in 35 games for the Phantoms.

The 2004–05 NHL lockout meant no NHL games that season. So, Sharp played the whole season in the AHL. He played for the Phantoms. He scored 52 points in 75 regular-season games. He also had 21 points in 21 playoff games. The Phantoms won the Calder Cup championship that year.

Chicago Blackhawks

During the 2005–06 season, Sharp was traded. On December 5, 2005, the Flyers sent him to the Chicago Blackhawks. Another player, Éric Meloche, also went to Chicago. In return, the Flyers got Matt Ellison and a draft pick. Sharp finished the season with 31 points from both teams.

Sharp really shined with the Blackhawks in the 2007–08 season. He scored a career-high 36 goals and 62 points in 80 games. He led the Blackhawks in goals scored during power plays. He also led in shorthanded goals and game-winning goals. In January 2008, Sharp signed a new four-year contract with the Blackhawks.

At the start of the 2008–09 season, Sharp became an alternate captain. He shared this role with Duncan Keith. Even with some injuries, Sharp helped the Blackhawks. They had a strong young team with players like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Sharp finished the season with 44 points in 61 games. The Blackhawks made the playoffs for the first time since 2002. He added 11 points in the 2009 playoffs. The Blackhawks had a great playoff run. They beat the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks. But they lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference Finals.

Sharp with the Chicago Blackhawks in February 2012

On June 9, 2010, Sharp won his first Stanley Cup. The Blackhawks beat his old team, the Philadelphia Flyers. He scored 11 goals and had 11 assists. This was during Chicago's 2010 playoff run.

On January 30, 2011, Sharp was named the Most Valuable Player. This was at the 2011 NHL All-Star Game. He scored one goal and had two assists in that game.

On August 3, 2011, he signed a new five-year contract. It was worth $29.5 million. This contract started in the 2012–13 season. In September, Sharp had emergency surgery for his appendix. Doctors expected him to recover in about three to four weeks. On November 25, he scored his second career hat-trick. He finished the season with 33 goals and 36 assists for 69 points. His 33 goals led the Blackhawks for the second year in a row.

During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Sharp stayed in Chicago. Many teammates played in Europe or the minor leagues. Sharp spent time with his young daughter. He also worked as a spokesperson for a fitness program. On March 6, 2013, Sharp hurt his shoulder. He missed the next 14 games. He played 28 games in the shortened season. He had 20 points.

The Blackhawks won the Presidents' Trophy as the best team in the regular season. They then won their second Stanley Cup in four seasons. They beat the Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings, and Los Angeles Kings. In the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals, they defeated the Boston Bruins. During the 2013 playoffs, Sharp played in all 23 games. He led the Blackhawks with 10 goals. He also had six assists for 16 points.

On December 27, 2013, his 32nd birthday, Sharp scored his third NHL hat-trick. Four games later, on January 3, 2014, he scored his fourth hat-trick. On January 7, 2014, he was chosen for the Canadian Olympic team. This was for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. He finished the 2013–14 season with a career-high 78 points. He led the team with 34 goals and 44 assists.

Sharp and the Blackhawks had another deep playoff run in 2014. They beat the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild. But they lost to the Los Angeles Kings in seven games. The Kings went on to win the Stanley Cup. Sharp ended the playoffs with 10 points in 19 games.

On November 4, 2014, Sharp got a leg injury. He missed the next 14 games. He played 68 games in the 2014–15 season. He had 43 points. He won his third Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks. They beat the Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks, and Tampa Bay Lightning. He scored five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in the 2015 playoffs.

Dallas Stars

On July 10, 2015, Sharp was traded to the Dallas Stars. This happened because of salary cap issues for the Blackhawks. Stephen Johns, another player, also went to Dallas. In return, the Blackhawks got Trevor Daley and Ryan Garbutt. On December 22, 2015, Sharp played against his former team, the Blackhawks. He scored a goal and an assist in a 4–0 win.

He played 76 games in the 2015–16 season. He scored 20 goals and 35 assists for 55 points. The Stars finished as the top team in the Western Conference. In the 2016 playoffs, Sharp and the Stars beat the Minnesota Wild. But they lost to the St. Louis Blues in the second round.

The 2016–17 season was tough for Sharp. He had several injuries. On October 20, 2016, he got a concussion. He missed the next 14 games. He then missed 12 more games due to another concussion. He finished the season playing 48 games. He had 18 points. The Stars did not make the playoffs that year.

Return to Chicago

On July 1, 2017, Sharp signed a one-year contract. He returned to the Chicago Blackhawks for the 2017–18 season. Sharp took less money to come back to Chicago. The Blackhawks named him an alternate captain for their last home game. They honored him after the game.

Sharp announced he would retire after his final game. He said he was ready for the next step in his life. He ended his last season with 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in 70 games. The Blackhawks did not make the playoffs that year.

Post-retirement

In October 2018, Sharp joined NBC Sports Chicago. He became a studio analyst, giving his expert opinions. He also worked for NBC Sports during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In September 2019, NBC Sports made him a full-time analyst.

Sharp later left NBC Sports to work for NBC Sports Chicago in 2021. He became a TV color commentator for the Chicago Blackhawks games. He shared this role with Troy Murray. In June 2023, Sharp left his TV job and coaching role at the University of Vermont. He joined the Philadelphia Flyers' front office. He became a special adviser to help with hockey operations.

Personal life

Sharp joins First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama at the White House in March 2011 to promote her Let's Move! initiative.

Patrick Sharp was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His parents are Ian and Ruth Ann Sharp. He had an older brother, Chris. Patrick moved several times as a child. He lived in Calgary and then in Thunder Bay from age nine. He lived in Thunder Bay for the rest of his childhood. He went to schools in Calgary, Ottawa, and Thunder Bay. Later, he moved to Burlington, Vermont, for college. His parents still live in Thunder Bay.

Sharp married his longtime girlfriend, Abby, in July 2010. They met while he was in college. Their wedding was in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. His Blackhawks teammate Patrick Kane was there. Their first daughter was born in December 2011. Their second daughter was born in October 2013. In March 2011, Sharp was on the cover of Chicago magazine. The story was about "50 Most Beautiful Chicagoans."

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Bold indicates led league

International

Medal record
Representing Canada
Ice hockey
Olympic Games
Gold	2014 Sochi
World Championships
Silver	2008 Canada

Awards and honours

See also

In Spanish: Patrick Sharp para niños