Patrick Kane Becomes 1st American in NHL History to Win Art Ross Trophy

Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane became the first American-born player to win the NHL's Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer Sunday, according to Chris Peters of CBS Sports.

Kane set career highs in goals (46) and assists (60) to become just the fourth player to record 100-plus points in the past five full NHL seasons.

The team celebrated his accomplishment on Twitter:

The award was a foregone conclusion a while ago, as Kane finished 17 points ahead of Dallas Stars left winger Jamie Benn.

Year	Player	Team	Total Points
2015-16	Patrick Kane	Chicago Blackhawks	106
2014-15	Jamie Benn	Dallas Stars	87
2013-14	Sidney Crosby	Pittsburgh Penguins	104
2012-13	Martin St. Louis	Tampa Bay Lightning	60*
2011-12	Evgeni Malkin	Pittsburgh Penguins	109

It was quite an accomplishment, considering the award was first given out after the 1947-48 season. Kane seemed humbled to win the trophy, per the Blackhawks' official website:

"

It is an honor being the first American to win the scoring title as there have been so many great hockey players from the United States in the NHL. I take a lot of pride in that, but I also take a lot of pride in doing it with the Chicago Blackhawks. I owe a lot to my teammates, coaches and the organization as I couldn’t have done this without them. This has been a special season, but we still have a lot to accomplish as a team and I look forward to another long run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"

This was only the third time in his nine-year career that Kane played all 82 games in a season. It paid off for the Blackhawks, who finished with 103 points and will open the playoffs Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues.

His amazing season also came on the heels of a rape allegation that was dismissed in court in November. After the dismissal, Kane released a statement denying any wrongdoing, per Jared S. Hopkins and Stacy St. Clair of the Chicago Tribune.

"I have repeatedly said that I did nothing wrong," he said. "I have respected the legal process and I am glad that this matter has now been closed and I will have nothing further to say going forward."

He put any distractions behind him and appears to be ready to try to lead his team to its second straight Stanley Cup and fourth in the past seven seasons.