Wirtz passes

[KB in Kelowna]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=219229&hubname=

While it is sad when a human being dies, this may be a good thing for the Black Hawks. Wirtz was a dinosaur as an owner, a Harold Ballard without the fanfare if you will. His passing may prove a renaisence for the NHL's Chicago franchise. The Hawks and thier players used to own that town, and this was in the era of Ernie Banks and Dick Butkis, perhaps hockey will be the big thing once more in the Windy City.

[Iced Tea]

Sad to see Bill pass away from cancer.

As for the team, I'll wait and see what happens because the TSN article says that Bill has five children, some of which must be in the family businesses already. Maybe they are all "little Bills" and plan to change nothing.:shrug:

"Bill Wirtz was a giant presence in a giant city, his beloved Chicago and an even greater presence in the National Hockey League," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.

"His 41 years as president of the Blackhawks and 18 years as chairman of the board leave an incomparable legacy of contributions to the game and to the league. His strength, intelligence, character and passion have been ingrained indelibly in the Blackhawks, in the league and in me. Bill was a true icon and a great competitor." This quote from Bettman in the TSN article is scary. I don't think Bettman is just being nice, he's talking like Wirtz was a mentor for Bettman and his ideals are what Bettman strives for. :eyebug:

[AtLossForWords]

They're working on televising their home games locally this season, and they have a good core of young players to market, so I think the Hawks will rise in the next couple years.

[KB in Kelowna]

They're working on televising their home games locally this season, and they have a good core of young players to market, so I think the Hawks will rise in the next couple years. Rocky Wirtz has taken control of the organization at the top end and has removed Bob Pulford from any position of influnce or authority on hockey operations which is another good sign.

[AtLossForWords]

Pulford was definately a joke, probably one of the worst GMs in hockey when he was.

[Mel]

I think I heard some steps were being taken to un-do the screwed up home game TV situation. That would be a good first step toward re-gaining alienated fans. Chicago is a traditional good hockey city. Hopefully the market gets rejuvinated.