Blackhawks announce plans for Centennial Celebration including Hall of Fame

The Chicago Blackhawks are celebrating 100 years of hockey going into the 2025-26 NHL Season.

On Thursday, the team announced a handful of events in celebration of its 100th anniversary as a franchise. Chicago was awarded a franchise from the NHL on May 15, 1926, making today the perfect day to announce it's centennial celebration plans on the 99th anniversary of the team.

The Blackhawks plan to celebrate 100 years of hockey throughout the 2025-26 NHL Season.

In a video, the Blackhawks announced its centennial celebration theme, "Always An Original." As one of the NHL's original six teams, the Black Hawks have a rich history as the introducers of the goal horn, the curved stick and butterfly save.

"Since our inception, the Chicago Blackhawks have been more than just a hockey team – we've been an integral part of Chicago's identity and a driving force in the evolution of the sport. This Centennial celebration isn't just about honoring our past achievements, but also about recommitting ourselves to innovation, community impact and excellence for the century ahead."

Danny Wirtz, Blackhawks Chairman & CEO

The Blackhawks plan to celebrate its centennial over four different chapters throughout the season. According to the team, each chapter will include signature game nights, giveaways and interviews from franchise icons. The celebration will culminate in the fall of 2026.

Blackhawks announce Hall of Fame

As part of the centennial celebration, the Blackhawks announced the organization has created its own Hall of Fame. According to the team, the HOF "will serve as the franchise's defining institution for honoring the extraordinary individuals who have shaped its century-long legacy, as chosen by the fans, alumni and media who have supported that story."

Each year, fans will cast two ballots for the Hall of Fame, a modern (2000-01 season or later) and heritage (1999-2000 season or earlier) player will be inducted each year. The team can also inducted a "Builder" each year. Builders are broadcasters, coaches or other contributors who have made a difference on the franchise.

The Blackhawks who already have their number hanging in the rafters are automatically inducted into the Hall of Fame, so the organization already has nine inductees in Glenn Hall, Pierre Pilote, Keith Magnuson, Chris Chelios, Bobby Hull, Denis Savard, Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito and Marian Hossa.

The Blackhawks ballot for the 2025-26 Hall of Fame is already open for voting. The modern era ballot includes Tony Amonte, Brian Campbell, Corey Crawford, Eric Daze, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Patrick Sharp, Andrew Shaw, Steve Sullivan, Jocelyn Thibault and Alexei Zhamnov.

The Heritage Era Ballot includes Ed Belfour, Doug Bentley, Johnny Gottselig, Dirk Graham, Dennis Hull, Cliff Koroll, Steve Larmer, Chico Maki, Mush March, Pit Martin, Bill Mosienko, Troy Murray, Eric Nesterenko, Jeremy Roenick and Doug Wilson.