Chicago Blackhawks Greatest 100- #41 Rocky Wirtz

When looking back at all of the owners in Chicago Blackhawks history, only one of them can say they were the owner of the franchise during 3 Stanley Cup Championships. 

The fact that Rocky Wirtz is Bill Wirtz’s son is still a bit unbelievable, because they really do seem like polar opposites.

Of course owning anything from a popsicle stand to an NHL franchise purpose is to make money, but the paths of father and son were two totally different adventures.

Bill Wirtz was nicknamed Dollar Bill for his cheapness, and the biggest thing he did was not put home games on local cable outlets like Sportsvision because he believed he would lose gate money at the door if fans didn’t have to come to the arena to see games.

I’m pretty sure Bill wouldn’t believe what the Hawks have done with Rocky in charge, not only are all games on local TV, but the Hawks have the longest home sellout streak in the NHL.  Sure, it helps when you put a good product on the ice, but the Chicago Blackhawks fan base has never been larger since anyone can watch every game.

The other thing Rocky has done since taking over the Chicago Blackhawks is put them in a position to be the premier hockey team in the NHL.  From facilities to the team on the ice everything is first class now instead of just trying to make a buck. The new practice facility that will also be available to the community is an example of a win win that Bill Wirtz would never ever had come up with during his tenure as owner of the Blackhawks.

Rocky delegated all the dirty work to John McDonough so he can be the happy face of the franchise which I’m perfectly alright with, and in the end he’s the guy writing all the paychecks and keeping our favorite franchise on top year after year!

What do you think of Rocky as the owner of the Chicago Blackhawks?

Next: What If The Hawks Lost Game #1 in the SCF In 2013?

Only 41 more days left until the Chicago Blackhawks host the Pittsburgh Penguins on opening night!