Consider the Kris Versteeg critics silenced.
   Being a finalist for the National Hockey League’s Calder Trophy as rookie of the year will do that.
And after shooting the lights out during his first full year with the Chicago Blackhawks with 22 goals and 53 points in 78 games, that’s exactly where the five-foot-10 left winger and product of Lethbridge finds himself, a finalist for the top first-year NHL player on a ballot with Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Bobby Ryan of the Anaheim Ducks.
Finally, that thing the late Rodney Dangerfield always claimed he wasn’t getting enough of is something Versteeg is now on the receiving end of.
Respect. As Aretha Franklin says, R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
That’s not to say the former Lethbridge Hurricane hasn’t also enjoyed his share of support over the course of his career, but there has been a naysayer or two in Versteeg’s path.
“I’ve always known what I could do if I was given the chance,” said Versteeg, on the phone from Chicago Thursday afternoon as he and his Blackhawks teammates get set to battle the Calgary Flames in Game 5 of the teams’ first-round series Saturday at the United Centre.
Versteeg was shipped out of town by his hometown Lethbridge Hurricanes in after it became clear he and then-coach Lindsay Hofford were incompatible, to put it mildly.
“The thing is I don’t really care if people doubt. It’s always made me stronger . . . Now the people who doubted me, I guess they think they’re my friends now. It’s kind of funny. But I’ve always known who my friends are and the people who believed in me along the way and that’s how it’s always going to be.”
The news he was a finalist for the Calder Trophy was handed down to Versteeg earlier this week courtesy of ’Hawks general manager Dale Tallon.
But as the Blackhawks look to regain their series lead over the Flames after a pair of losses in Games 3 and 4 in Calgary knotted the series at 2-2, Versteeg wasn’t looking ahead to any year-end banquets just yet.
Instead, tonight’s game is front and centre on his radar.
“Right now I’m focused on the playoffs,” said Versteeg. “It hasn’t really sunk in. It is a huge honour. I think it’s sunk in moreso for my family than for me because right now the main focus is the playoffs.”
Still, what a year it’s been for the local product.
“It has been a good season,” said Versteeg, originally drafted by the Boston Bruins in 2004 before being shipped to Chicago on Feb. 3, 2007 in exchange for Brandon Bochenski.
Upon his arrival in Chicago, Versteeg laced up for 13 games with the Blackhawks in 2007-08, netting a pair of goals and four points in the process.
“But coming into last year I always knew I could play in the NHL,” said Versteeg.
“There are a lot of guys in the minor leagues who don’t get the chance. I guess I was fortunate enough to get a chance and kind of roll with it.”
Versteeg made the most of that chance and the Windy City has been his address ever since.
“I’ve been here the whole year and I’ve just tried to take the mindset that I didn’t want to get sent (down),” said Versteeg.
Following a 46-24-12 regular season that helped them nail down fourth place in the Western Conference and home-ice advantage for the first round, Versteeg noted the chemistry on the up-and-coming young team that boasts the likes of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.
“It’s our team camaraderie,” he said. “We have so many guys that get along and everyone wants to play for each other. We’re young and we’re an exciting team to watch and it’s just fun to be a part of it. I think we all understand that.”
In a series that has favoured the home team thus far, Chicago looks to regain their series lead Saturday.
The two losses in Calgary aside, Versteeg has soaked up his first NHL post-season experience.
“This series has been absolutely outstanding,” he said of the series that has combined a slew of physical play with some scathing trash talk in between as the teams develop a strong dislike of one another. “It’s been up-tempo and every game every guy has been finishing their checks and working as hard as they can. It’s been a crazy series in that sense and I think it’s been one of the most exciting ones to watch.”
Conveniently, Versteeg’s first post-season venture has brough him close to home as family and friends trekked up from Lethbridge to catch Games 3 and 4 in Calgary this past week.
“It’s always special to come home,” said Versteeg. “I come home every summer and I get to see them no matter what. But to have them be able to come and watch me so close and have the family there and be a part of this with me is pretty cool. Not only along with my first NHL game, but my first playoff game as well. They get to be there for it.”