Chicago Blackhawks’ Artemi Panarin Celebrates 25th Birthday

The Chicago Blackhawks’ Artemi Panarin has quickly become the sweetheart in Chicago, and today we celebrate his 25^th birthday.

It’s pretty hard to be a Chicago Blackhawks fan and not be in love with Artemi Panarin.  He took the NHL by storm last year when he came over from Russia and ran away with the Calder Trophy for the league’s top rookie.  His 30 goals and 47 assists for 77 points far surpassed second place runner-up Jack Eichel (24G, 32A, 56 points) by a huge margin of 21 points.

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Panarin also helped fellow linemate Patrick Kane to win the Art Ross Trophy, as Kane led the league with 106 points in the 2015-16 season.  Most of Kane’s goals are connected to assists from Panarin, and vice versa.  The two have incredible chemistry on the ice.   It really is amazing how fast they gelled with each other.  You would think they’ve been playing together for years.   They truly help each other to be better players.

Early in Panarin’s first NHL season, Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville dubbed him The Breadman.  This is partly because his last name is so similar to that of the famous restaurant chain, Panera Bread Company.  But it also refers to Panarin being part of the bread and butter of this dynamic duo that involves he and Kane.  Panarin is the bread, and Kaner is the butter that helps this team score goals and win games.  Watching them work their magic is a real treat.

Speaking of treats, the man we call the Breadman turns 25 years old today, one day before Halloween.  Do they celebrate Halloween in Russia?  Good question.  I looked it up, and apparently Halloween is quite taboo over there.  Government officials try to ban it every year.

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Well, Panarin is in America now, so he can celebrate Halloween if he wants to.  And what better way to do so than to dress up like and American gangster!  Here is a picture of he and fellow Russian teammate Artem Anisimov at the recent Chicago Blackhawks Halloween party.

Panarin’s affable demeanor and infectious smile are pretty hard to resist.  Watching his excitement when he and Kane connect for a goal is pretty fun to watch.  He’s like a great big kid in a candy store.  Enough with the Halloween puns, already!  But seriously, watch this.  The image I refer to comes at about 1:20 minutes into this video.

Panarin is off to a great start this season as well, with three goals and four assists through eight games.  As a matter of fact, he earned himself a goal and an assist in the Chicago Blackhawk’s most recent contest Friday night against the New Jersey Devils.

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The Hawks take on the Los Angeles Kings tonight at the United Center.  It sure would be nice if Panarin could score a goal or two on his birthday.  Happy Birthday Breadman, and Let’s Go Hawks!!!