Chicago Blackhawks: The 15 Best Individual Player Seasons in Franchise History

Throughout the Chicago Blackhawks' 85 years in the NHL, many hockey players have put on the Indian Head sweater. Some deserving, some not, and many just passing through.

But in those 85 years, the Chicago Blackhawks have had their share of great hockey players. From the likes of goaltender Charlie Gardiner to left winger Roy Conacher. High-flying Bobby Hull to the gracious Stan Mikita. And of course, today's stars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

Some of those great players have led the Blackhawks to Stanley Cups, Central Division titles and Western Conference titles. And a select few have helped the Blackhawks organization rise to be one of the greatest in the NHL.

Not many NHL organizations can say that so many great hockey players have been in their locker room; in fact only six can say they've been around as long as the Chicago Blackhawks.

Of all those great players, this slideshow will show the top 15 individual seasons for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Sit back and enjoy as you look through some of the best Chicago Blackhawks players to ever wear the Indian Head sweater.

Roy Conacher 1948-1949

How many great Blackhawks can you name before you come up with Roy Conacher? If you said more than 12, then you're in the majority.

As a left winger, Conacher played only five seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks but proved to be a valuable player when he won the Art Ross Trophy in the 1948-1949 season. He finished the season with 26 goals and 42 assists in 70 games.

While he did not win a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks, it is still worth mentioning this as one of the best individual player seasons in franchise history because of his Art Ross Trophy win.

Pierre Pilote 1964-1965

Defenseman Pierre Pilote was a force to be reckoned with during his tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Pierre Pilote was part of the 1961 Stanley Cup-winning team playing aside Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita.

Winner of three Norris Trophies with the Blackhawks, Pierre put up a career-high 59 points (14 goals, 45 assists) during the 1964-1965 season. Not many Blackhawks defensemen can say that they put up 59 points in 68 games, let alone that they won a Norris Trophy.

Bobby Hull 1961-1962

Bobby Hull, also known as "The Golden Jet," was one of the biggest superstars ever to be with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Hull, right winger, had eight 50-goal seasons spanning over 20 years. But it all started in the 1961-1962 season, when Hull became the first Blackhawks player to reach the 50-goal plateau. Hull matched and beat that feat during the 1964-1965 season when he became the first player in NHL history with more than 50 goals in a single season.

Despite all of his success and point production, Hull was held to only one Stanley Cup title. However, that does not overshadow his three Art Ross Trophies, two Hart Memorial Trophies and 12 All-Star Game appearances.

Stan Mikita 1966-1967

How many great Blackhawks have had the grace and scoring touch that Stan Mikita had? Not very many.

Winner of one Stanley Cup and numerous other scoring titles, Stan Mikita, alongside Bobby Hull, became the face of the Chicago Blackhawks franchise during the '60s and '70s.

Mikita, all-time leader in points and assists for the Chicago Blackhawks, had his most memorable season during 1966-1967. Mikita became the first NHL player to win the Art Ross Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy and Lady Byng Trophy all in a single season.

That feat was matched the very next season when he won all three again.

Tony Esposito 1969-1970

One of the very best goaltenders to ever play net for the Chicago Blackhawks. Tony Esposito, also know as "Tony-O" was the backstop to an already good Blackhawks team in the 1970's.

The 1969-1970 season was Esposito's rookie season, where he went 38-17-8—a Blackhawks record at the time. He also had 15 shutouts that season, which is a record that stands to this very day.

It also doesn't hurt that he won the Vezina and Calder Trophies that season.

Doug Wilson 1981-1982

Defenseman Doug Wilson was one the the finest to play on the back end for the Chicago Blackhawks.

During the 1981-1982 season, Wilson won the James Norris Memorial Trophy and amassed 85 points (39 goals, 44 assists). 85 points for a defenseman is a record for the Chicago Blackhawks; it still stands today. And on top of that, how many defensemen can you think of that scored 39 goals in a single season?

Wilson is currently the general manager for the San Jose Sharks.

Al Secord 1982-1983

One of the very best power forwards the grace the Chicago Blackhawks, Al Secord was the type of player that would grind out a game while putting up quality numbers on the score sheet.

The 1982-1983 season was Secord's best, as he became the only player in Blackhawks history to match Bobby Hull's record of 54 goals in a single season. It also should be known that 20 of those goals were scored on the power play. Not bad for a grind-it-out power forward.

He finished the season with 86 points, which is no small feat.

The current Chicago Blackhawks team could use a guy like Secord. Skill, toughness and quality point production; a rare breed of hockey player.

Denis Savard 1987-1988

One of the most prolific goal scorers of the 1980's, center Denis Savard will forever be cemented into hockey history for creating what is know as the "spin-o-rama."

The 1987-1988 season will also be remembered, as Savard put up 131 points (44 goals, 87 assists), putting him 44th all-time on the NHL's season point list. 131 points is also a record for the Chicago Blackhawks franchise that still stands to this day.

Savard ranks third all-time on the Chicago Blackhawks list for players in point production.

Ed Belfour 1990-1991

How many goaltenders can say that they had a very good rookie season? Very few, but if you look at Ed Belfour, he had an outstanding rookie season. In fact, many would consider his rookie season as one of the best in the history of the NHL.

Belfour won a franchise record 43 games (both NHL rookie and Blackhawks team record) in his very first season with the Blackhawks and in the NHL. He also posted a 2.47 GAA and a .910 save percentage.

To backstop that, he also took home the Vezina and Calder Trophies that year. 

Steve Larmer 1990-1991

Steve Larmer was the "complete" hockey player: able to lead a team, play the game and defend fellow teammates when the time was right.

During the 1990-1991 season, Larmer had 101 points (44 goals, 57 assists), which is a Blackhawks franchise record for a right winger. 

Larmer was a special player, also scoring 30 or more goals in nine of his 11 seasons with the Blackhawks. 

Jeremy Roenick 1991-1992

Jeremy Roenick will always be remembered by the Blackhawks faithful as a rough-and-tumble type of hockey player.

He best season came during 1991-1992 when he led the Chicago Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup Finals. He hit 100 points (53 goals, 47 assists) for the first time in his career that season. He also became the third Blackhawks player to put 50 or more goals in the net.

To top that off, he had 13 game-winning goals.

Roenick's tenure with the Blackhawks was relatively short-lived, though, as he was traded during the 1995-1996 season.

Chris Chelios 1992-1993

Many Blackhawks fans will forever remember defenseman Chris Chelios for his betrayal as he joined the Detroit Red Wings. But rivalries aside, Chelios is arguably the greatest player ever to play the back end for the Chicago Blackhawks.

In the 1992-1993 season, Chelios had 73 points (15 goals, 58 assists) and dominated the blue line with 282 penalty minutes. He would also win the first of his two Norris Trophies that year.

Duncan Keith 2009-2010

Defenseman Duncan Keith was a big reason why the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010. The blue-liner was the best at moving the puck out of his own end and setting up scoring opportunities.

In 2009-2010 Keith had 69 points (14 goals, 55 assists). He was also played major ice time, averaging 26:35 per game.

To top off an already great season, Keith also won an Olympic gold medal and the Norris Trophy.

Patrick Kane 2009-2010

One of the best playmakers in the game today, right winger Patrick Kane was a force to be reckoned with in the 2009-2010 season.

Scoring 88 points (30 goals, 58 assists), Kane lead the Chicago Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup title in 49 years. He scored the overtime Cup clincher in Game 6 against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Aside from those achievements, Kane also own an Olympic silver medal and was named as a first-team NHL All-Star.

Jonathan Toews 2009-2010

What more can be said about Blackhawks' first-line center Jonathan Toews? At 23 years of age, Toews is already an Olympic gold medalist and Stanley Cup Champion.

Both feats accomplished during the 2009-2010 season, he also became the youngest player ever to join the Triple Gold Club when he won the Conn Smythe Trophy for most valuable player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In 76 games, Toews had 68 points (25 goals, 43 assists), but his leadership off and on the ice are what helped lead the Chicago Blackhawks to a Stanley Cup title. The season that Captain Toews had will be considered one of the best, if not the best, in Blackhawks' franchise history.