5 things about the Blackhawks that only true fans know about

With so much history and so much success, it's no wonder why so many hockey fans cheer for the Chicago Blackhawks. And no, you don't need to live in Chicago to root for them, especially since their long and storied history alone has given them more reach than most pro sports franchises.

But if you want to call yourself a true fan, then this is an article you need to read, because I'm about to hand you five fun facts that only true Hawks fans will know about. And yeah, I know, I could've listed 100 of them. But I wanted to dig deep and talk about some of the rivalries, fan traditions, and even slight name change that could go unnoticed.

1 - Intense rivalries with the Red Wings and Blues

With 100 years of history, the Blackhawks have had their fair share of intense rivalries. But unfortunately for them, they only play against the Original Six 10 times per season, unless they meet one of them in the Stanley Cup Final.

Still, it hasn't taken away from the intensity between them and the Detroit Red Wings. The Wings played in the Western Conference for a long time before heading East, but you can still expect bad blood when these two meet up regardless of the situation.

You can even argue the rivalry has grown more intense in recent seasons since they only have two opportunities a year to play against one another. Then, there are the St. Louis Blues, a team the Hawks and their fans still get to play four times a season (three in select years until 2026-27).

One of the most infamous moments occurred on March 17th, 1991 called the St. Patrick's Day Massacre. Fun fact: I missed seeing that one live by about 42 days, since I wasn't born until late April of that year.

But with so many ejections and penalty minutes, it remains one of the most iconic fights in both franchises' histories and is a major reason why the rivalry is so intense today.

2 - Sacredness of Chicago Stadium

There's something sacred about all of those old stadiums, regardless if whether it's hockey or another sport. Also called the "Madhouse in Madison," Chicago Stadium was synonymous with the Hawks, and it was such a loud venue that opponents collectively hated going there.

Of course, there was its unique architecture, which alone gave it a sense of sacredness, but its triple-tiered design gave it an echoing effect, which made those loud crowds sound even louder. Then, there was that old 3,663-pipe organ, which only added to the noise level.

Noise levels were said to have reached 130 decibels, which, at times, caused the broadcast booth to shake. There was also unique fan interaction, especially at Gate 3 1/2, where fans could get up-close looks at players and celebrities entering the place.

While the United Center is a loud venue and holds a continuation of some fan traditions, one of which I'll talk about later, Chicago Stadium is one of those venues you just can't replace no matter what.

3 - The one-word vs. two-word nickname

It's easy to forget that, for a long portion of their history, the Blackhawks were known as the Black Hawks. The shift from Black Hawks to Blackhawks occurred in 1986, and it's something only the most die-hard Hawks fans and NHL enthusiasts will pinpoint.

The story behind the name dates back to 1926, when its original owner, Frederic McLaughlin, found himself commanding the 86th infantry, which called itself the Blackhawk Division. So, when he founded the Blackhawks, McLaughlin used that name for his team, but it was spelled Black Hawks.

Fast-forward to the 1986-87 season, and original documents regarding the team led to a shocking discovery. They had the name 'Blackhawks' printed, not 'Black Hawks.' So, in accordance with those documents, the franchise ditched the two-word name for the one we see today.

4 - Cheering during the National Anthem

Some fanbases, like their rivals in St. Louis, yell the word 'Blues' over the word 'Brave,' in the National Anthem. As for the Blackhawks, their fans cheer during the entire singing of the Star Spangled Banner.

This might be the most recognized anthem tradition in all of pro sports, and it's one that was said to have begun back in 1985, May 9th to be exact, during Game 3 of the Conference Final when the Hawks were trying to stifle the mighty Edmonton Oilers.

But, as with all traditions, the origin story isn't so set in stone. Others point to the tradition starting five years earlier in 1980 following the "Miracle on Ice" game. Either way, it wasn't until 1991 did the entire hockey world start to notice.

Shortly after Gulf War I began, Chicago hosted the 1991 All-Star Game, and with a national broadcast going on, hockey fans across America saw the cheering during the anthem for the first time. This is one of those traditions that has continued in the years since the Hawks moved over to the United Center.

5 - Significance of the 2010 Stanley Cup parade

In 2010, the Blackhawks finally snapped that notorious 49-season championship drought, and it was one of the most historic moments in Chicago-based professional sports. I mean, with a fanbase as vast as the one the Hawks have, and one that had been through so much, it's no wonder that they threw one of the largest parades out there.

Ultimately, over two million fans attended the event, and while so many championship parades draw in hordes of people, this one may've been the largest ever at the time. And if it wasn't the biggest, I'd be willing to say it was at least in the top 10.

The Hawks have one of the most loyal fanbases out there, not only in the NHL, but in all of sports. And their epic turnout back in 2010 drove that fact home.

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