Last night, we mourned the passing of a man that proved to be one of the best NHL owners ever. When Rocky Wirtz took over in 2007, the Blackhawks were one of the worst-run teams in sports. With an immediate series of changes on and off the ice, Wirtz had his new squad hoisting the Stanley Cup less than three years later. Despite his involvement in the Kyle Beach scandal, Wirtz’s time as owner was legendary all the way around.
Deja Vu?
Rocky’s father Bill, who served as team president for 41 years, passed away in the fall of 2007, just a few weeks before first-overall pick Patrick Kane made his NHL debut and helped ignite the Blackhawks dynasty. Rocky then got to oversee some of the most prosperous years in Blackhawks history. Now, 16 years later, Rocky passed away with just over two months before generational talent Connor Bedard is set to make his own debut. Some spooky deja vu for Blackhawks fans.
As Chicago looks to build its roster from the ground up, the franchise is also seemingly aiming for a fresh start. With potential changes like a massively upgraded Fifth Third Arena, the Blackhawks’ practice rink, as well as possibly moving on from the beloved “Chelsea Dagger” goal song, the Blackhawks are ushering in a new era of Chicago hockey. Now, it will also have new ownership to try to achieve those goals.
In Good Hands
It’s too early to tell what will come out of the change in ownership. Danny Wirtz, Blackhawks CEO, alternate NHL Governor and Rocky’s son, is expected to take over the team, and one thing is certain: his presence is promising for the future of the team. Danny has been a guiding hand since he took over as CEO in December 2020. Fans will recall fondly that at last year’s infamous town hall meeting, which saw an outburst from Rocky after being asked about the scandal, Danny took it upon himself to handle the situation with grace. He issued apologies for his father’s actions, and even held an emotional meeting with his staff the next day to express his disappointment. The younger Wirtz has stepped up time and time again. He’s been in charge of the day-to-day operations of the club for quite some time now, and he seems like the perfect man to lead the team headed into the future.
The city of Chicago will mourn the death of Rocky Wirtz forever, and fans will be forever grateful for the culture he created for a franchise that desperately needed his leadership. As the team looks to the future, however, the franchise could not be in better hands than those of Rocky’s son and Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz. The man that took over day-to-day operations over a year ago now has the title to match, and he’ll be a beloved owner among Chicago fans, as he’s handled every situation he’s come across with grace and a steady hand. Rocky’s legacy will live on through his son as Danny aims to build another dynasty in Chicago, just as his father did.
