Kane returns, looking for quick start

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Patrick Kane stood in front of the media throng on Thursday.
Five stitches dotted his upper lip, a parting gift from his final Swiss League game.
Caught an elbow to the face; its part of hockey, Kane, who played for EHC Biel from October until the lockout ended on Sunday, said. It was pretty painful. I was nervous how the doctors over there were going to do stitching my face. But I checked in here and they said they did a good job.
But the Chicago Blackhawks right wing got more than a sewn-up lip out of his Swiss play. He got plenty of games under his belt -- just about all of them at right wing -- and stayed in game form throughout the lengthy lockout. And Kane, who along with Viktor Stalberg, Nick Leddy, Michael Frolik and Bryan Bickell returned to Johnnys IceHouse skates on Thursday, hopes that overseas work translates into a fast start back here.
I think its going to be big for me, said Kane, who played eight games in 10 days, including five in as many nights, in his waning days in Switzerland. It was really good for my conditioning, skating and playing on the bigger ice. For all of us, its going to be an adjustment period (here). But Im happy I did it. It was a good experience and hopefully it helped.
Kane went to Europe early in the lockout, heading to Biel, Switzerland in early October. He tallied 13 goals and 10 assists in 20 games with EHC Biel, and played several games for HC Davos in the Spengler Cup. Kane said he didnt work on any specific part of his game overseas, other than to score goals as often as he could. The biggest goal was to stay sharp for wheneverif everthe lockout ended.
If the lockout was going to go on, (playing overseas) was something I needed to do, Kane said. I felt I was just waiting around, waiting for hockey to start. I realized when I was playing my best hockey I was playing a lot. I figured I might as well get a head start for the (NHL) season when it did start back up, that maybe Id have a little bit of an advantage. Thats really the only reason.
Its reason enough, and Kane looked sharp skating around on Thursday. As players keep returning, so do the good vibes. When asked about Jonathan Toews role as coach on Thursday, Kane couldnt resist.
He talks a little too much. Were trying to shut him up, Kane said. Thankfully we have camp starting soon and get a real coach out there.
Camps are slated to start on Sunday, a day after the NHLPA should have the new collective bargaining agreement ratified. The Blackhawks are like every other team, hoping to get off to a fast start. Kane is looking for the same out of his game. He shouldve gotten the jump-start from the same place he got those stitches.
Ive always prided myself on getting off to a quick start; I usually have success doing that, Kane said. Hopefully I can continue it throughout the year.

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