The Chicago Tribune could not have said it better in their simple headline: "From most vilified to most valuable, Patrick Kane's remarkable journey". In a strange way, Patrick Kane's 2015-2016 season appears to be the Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader story line in reverse. He began the season as the biggest villain in the NHL, and ended it as one of the top contenders for the Hart Trophy, the NHL trophy for the regular season's MVP.

When training camp began for the 2015-2016 Chicago Blackhawks season in September, the biggest question on everyone's mind was if Patrick Kane would attend due to an impending criminal investigation

. Some said he should participate in training camp since no charges had been filed, some said he should not so the team could avoid scandal in case a charge was filed, and some went as far as suggesting a trade should be made to help the team avoid Kane's scandal all together. Seven months later, it is obvious the right choice was made in letting Kane attend training camp and start the season. His case was dropped early in in the season, and despite backlash from other teams going as far as shouting "She said no!"

in the stands, Kane had a spectacular season. He had a 26-game point streak, the highest among American-born players, members in Chicago Blackhawks franchise history, and current members of the NHL. Being the first American to win the Art Ross Trophy, the trophy given to the player with the most points in the regular season, was icing on the cake in Kane's historic season. A Hart trophy and fourth Stanley Cup of his career in June would be a cherry on top to a perfect season.

It is hard to believe that the Patrick Kane receiving the Art Ross Trophy is the same Patrick Kane who appeared anxiously unsure of his future in his first press conference

since the rape accusation was filed back in September. The carefree kid standing on top of a double decker bus opening beers with his teeth during his first Stanley Cup victory parade was gone. After gaining a reputation for being overly cocky and immature in the earlier days of his career as a teenager and in his early twenties, the accusation appeared to be karma taking it's course to his haters. Like the champion he is, Kane went out of his way to prove them wrong, and it has paid off.

There was never a doubt of Patrick Kane's talent. He was the first overall draft pick in 2007, 2008 Calder trophy recipient, Olympic silver medalist, 2013 Conn Smythe recipient, and three-time Stanley Cup champion before the 2015-2016 season started, keep in mind he was only 26 in October when the season began. After this season, it is nearly impossible to make an argument against Kane being the best American-born player in the NHL right now, and possibly of all time.

It can be argued that public scrutiny led to Kane's massive success this year, and it has plenty of merit since it added plenty of fuel to the fire. It can also be attributed to the positive lifestyle changes Kane has made this year such as refraining from drinking and returning to his Catholic roots, which he discussed briefly in his Sports Illustrated

cover story last month.

Kane's success this season could be attributed to both mentioned above, or many other things, only Kane knows for sure. One thing we can all know for sure is with the 26-game point streak, Art Ross trophy win, and high possibility to be a Hart Trophy recipient, this has been a historic season for Patrick Kane, and has no doubt landed him a spot in hockey history forever.