"Patrick Sharp's father, Ian, has a story he often shares about his famous son, who is a key part of the reigning Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks.

It happened 14 years ago, when Patrick was 15. He had just won the All Ontario Bantam AAA Hockey Championship in 1997 with the Thunder Bay Kings. The Kings had a ton of potential, including other future NHL players in forward Taylor Pyatt and goalie Alex Auld.

"There were an awful lot of stars on that team, kids that went on to play pro hockey, in the [Ontario Hockey League] and college hockey," Ian said. "Patrick was kind of ignored.

"[NHL legend and agent] Bobby Orr was talking to a couple of kids on Patrick's team as potential clients. He came in the dressing room and walked past Patrick and said, 'Excuse me,' to get to the other side of the room."

But it's a fond memory. It's a situation they laugh about and give Orr a hard time about now, the Sharps said. Why?

"Today, Patrick is one of his clients," Ian said.

Make that one of his top clients.

Sharp is an All-Star and the leading goal-scorer for the Hawks. Last postseason, he deserved more consideration for the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP) than he got.

"Overlooked" is a word often used to describe the 29-year-old Sharp. It goes back to his days in Thunder Bay and includes his time in the Philadelphia Flyers' organization and with the Hawks.

But it's a tag that should be dropped, regardless of the snub he endured from not being on the All-Star ballot this season. In fact, he has been looked at a lot. Some say there might not have been a more sought-after player since the lockout.

The public might just be starting to appreciate what Sharp can do, but those who make and shape NHL rosters always have appreciated his array of talents."