Podcast: Darryl Belfry on how Patrick Kane became a superstar originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Think you know everything there is to know about Patrick Kane? Think again. Darryl Belfry - who has known Kane since the superstar was just 9 years old - stops by the Blackhawks Talk Podcast to discuss his new book: “Belfry Hockey: Strategies to Teach the World’s Best Athletes.” Belfry goes in-depth with Pat Boyle and Charlie Roumeliotis about Kane’s offensive growth at a very young age, his dynamic scoring and passing abilities, his philosophy on puck touches, and so much more.
(5:05) - Darryl on the first time he met a 9-year old Patrick Kane and what he saw in Kane as a youth player that would translate so well to the NHL.
(9:26) - Darryl talks about the time he took Kane out of a game because he was scoring too many goals on his own (no, really.) Belfry thinks this was a major turning point in Kane’s early hockey career.
(19:42) - The Belfry Hockey Tactics and Tune-Up Camp has brought together All-Stars and future stars in a way seldom seen before in hockey. Darryl discusses how the camp started to take off and his philosophy working with players like Kane and Auston Matthews
(33:08) - Darryl discusses his communication process with players like Kane and how it can change throughout the season.
(40:17) - Darryl talks about Patrick Kane’s dynamic scoring ability and how he became a true elite dual-threat scorer.
(45:20) - Patrick Kane’s goal for puck-touches per game used to be a simple number. But thanks to Belfry, Kane’s “puck-touch philosophy” has shifted to an entirely different level. It’s all about improving the quality of the puck-touches by problem solving sequences. (You may never watch a Blackhawks game the same way again.)
(52:58) - Darryl shares his thoughts on how long he thinks Kane can continue to play at an elite level. Darryl says he wouldn’t bet against Kane playing until he’s 50.