Chicago Blackhawks Greatest 100- #88 James D Norris

When looking at the Chicago Blackhawks greatest players and owners, one has to look back at James D Norris.  

His Father is the Norris that the Norris trophy is named after, and for those of you that love 1980’s hockey the Norris Division was named after James E. Norris.

The younger Norris was the son of the Hall of Famer, and like the Chicago Blackhawks found Frederic McLaughlin, Norris served in the armed forces. Norris was a Lieutenant in World War II, but before he helped the USA win the second World War he was already a businessman. Probably no person had more influence on what would become the Division named after his Father than James D Norris.

Norris originally purchased the Detroit Red Wings back in the 1930’s, but when McLaughlin passed away, Norris helped Bill Tobin and his group purchase the Chicago Blackhawks.  His father already owned the Chicago Stadium so it was a Norris paying a Norris to play in the NHL.

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Norris was an owner of both franchises until 1952 which in today’s world seems like it would be something that the NHL wouldn’t think of especially with their rivalry.   Norris became the chairman of the board, and was serving in that role when the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 1961!

Norris is dramatized in a movie called Net Worth where Ted Lindsay helps form the NHL Players Association so that players get paid by the owners.  Real shocker that all the Blackhawks owners until Rocky took over were cheapskates!

Norris helped guide the franchise to it’s big Cup win, and then he had one more trick up his sleeve before he passed away.   He helped engineer an expansion team to the city of St. Louis mainly because he owned the building! So in the end Norris had influence over three teams in the Norris Division.

Norris was voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962, and he make our list in 88th spot!

What do you think? Did you Norris was a part of Chicago Blackhawks history? Do you think he should be on the list?  Let us know in the comments section below!

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Only 88 days left until we get to see our stars back on the ice of the United Center!