On Wednesday morning, players, fans, and other personalities came together at the United Center to celebrate late Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz’s profound impact on the world of hockey and the city of Chicago.
The ceremony, which lasted around an hour and preceded a visitation, was a chance for those that had known Rocky to honor his legacy against a fitting backdrop of three championship banners. While the service was open to anyone who wished to attend, a private version was held Tuesday at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, and was attended by Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Connor Bedard, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, as well as many others.
History
Rocky took over as owner of the Blackhawks in 2007 after the death of his father, Bill Wirtz. Rocky immediately altered several of his father’s policies, which had previously turned the team into an unsuccessful one that was despised by fans for its frugal mindset. The new owner instead adopted a “spend money to make money” management style, which was perhaps most visible when the team negotiated with Comcast SportsNet Chicago to televise all home games, which were previously not accessible. The team enjoyed a quick turnaround on the ice thanks to Rocky’s decision-making and the additions of Toews and Kane. Rocky hoisted his first Stanley Cup in 2010, and followed it up with two more in 2013 and 2015. Though his stint as owner was marred by the Kyle Beach scandal in 2021, he’ll go down as perhaps the best at his position in team history. Rocky passed away on July 25. The timing of his passing is an interesting coincidence: his father died just days before the debut of Kaner, and Rocky died a month after Bedard, who has often been dubbed Kane’s “successor”, was drafted.
Emotional comments from several of those close to the program hit close to home for many Blackhawks fans:
"He did not revitalize this franchise; I don't think that does him justice. I believe he saved it. Before he took over, the Blackhawks were irrelevant. Rocky made you feel welcomed."
- PAT FOLEY, LONGTIME BLACKHAWKS PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER
"Rocky made us players feel like we were in this together. It was never him being an owner and us being players. We are all pulling on the same rope together. That type of relationship in this world is rare, but as a player, I always appreciated that he wasn't controlling or around too much. But we always felt his presence. It was a privilege to be a Blackhawk, and that started with Rocky. I'm very lucky to have played my entire career for the Wirtz family."
- BRENT SEABROOK
In addition to Foley and Seabrook, Darren Pang, Chris Chelios, Rob Johnson, and Marian Hossa took turns honoring the legendary owner with speeches. Hossa and Seabrook spoke on behalf of Wirtz’s three championship-winning teams.
Though Rocky was most well-known to the common fan as just a great owner, the ceremony encapsulated that he was much more than that to everyone that knew him. Tab Bamford of Bleacher Nation said it best:
“It was a beautiful ceremony that was about more than just a guy who owned a hockey team. It was about more than a guy who celebrated three championships. The players, broadcasters and friends shared personal stories. Because that’s how many fans will remember Rocky: a personal interaction.”
- Tab Bamford, Bleacher Nation
