Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks
2023–24 Chicago Blackhawks season
ConferenceWestern
DivisionCentral
Founded1926
HistoryChicago Black Hawks
19261986
Chicago Blackhawks
1986–present
Home arenaUnited Center
CityChicago, Illinois
Team colorsRed, white, black[1][2]
     
MediaNBC Sports Chicago
ESPN Radio (1000 AM)
Owner(s)Wirtz Corporation
Danny Wirtz, chairman[3][4]
General managerKyle Davidson
Head coachLuke Richardson
CaptainVacant
Minor league affiliatesRockford IceHogs (AHL)
Indy Fuel (ECHL)
Stanley Cups6 (1933–34, 1937–38, 1960–61, 2009–10, 2012–13, 2014–15)
Conference championships4 (1991–92, 2009–10, 2012–13, 2014–15)
Presidents' Trophy2 (1990–91, 2012–13)
Division championships16 (1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1982–83, 1985–86, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1992–93, 2009–10, 2012–13, 2016–17)
Official websitewww.nhl.com/blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and have won six Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926. They are one of the "Original Six" NHL teams, along with the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers. Since 1995, the team has played their home games at the United Center, which they share with the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls; both teams previously played at the now-demolished Chicago Stadium.[5]

The Blackhawks' original owner was Frederic McLaughlin, a "hands-on" owner who fired many coaches during his ownership and led the team to win two Stanley Cup titles in 1934 and 1938. After McLaughlin's death in 1944, the team came under the ownership of the Norris family, who acted as their landlord as owners of the Chicago Stadium, and also owned stakes in several of the NHL teams. At first, the Norris ownership was as part of a syndicate fronted by longtime executive Bill Tobin, and the team languished in favor of the Norris-owned Detroit Red Wings. After the senior James E. Norris died in 1952, the Norris assets were spread among family members, and James D. Norris became the owner of the Blackhawks. The younger Norris took an active interest in the team, which won another Stanley Cup title under his ownership in 1961. After James D. Norris died in 1966, the Wirtz family became owners of the franchise. In 2007, the team came under the control of Rocky Wirtz, who is credited with turning around the organization, which had lost fan interest and competitiveness; under Wirtz, the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup three times, in 2010, 2013 and 2015.[6][7] Rocky died in July 2023, and his son, Danny Wirtz, was named chairman of the Blackhawks.

  1. ^ Weekes, Kevin (April 3, 2020). "Friday Four: Blackhawks, Sharks among best jerseys of all time". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises, L.P. Retrieved October 17, 2022. What I love about the Blackhawks is that in their almost-100 seasons, their sweaters haven't changed much, nor have they needed to. Whether it's the red jersey with black and white trim, or the white jersey with black and red trim, these jerseys have a clean and crisp look.
  2. ^ "Front Office". ChicagoBlackhawks.com. NHL Enterprises, L.P. Archived from the original on December 2, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  3. ^ Daniels, Steve (July 31, 2023). "Danny Wirtz succeeds late father Rocky atop Wirtz Corp". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  4. ^ "Front Office". ChicagoBlackhawks.com. NHL Enterprises, L.P. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  5. ^ Horn, Toby (2002). "Blackhawks". Stadiums. 2 (1): 56–80.
  6. ^ Mather, Victor (June 4, 2015). "When Ownership Changed in 2007, So Did the Blackhawks". The New York Times.
  7. ^ Belson, Ken (June 16, 2015). "With Blackhawks' 3 Stanley Cups in 6 Years, Chicago Runneth over". The New York Times.