Zach Jarom: Rocky Wirtz Passes Away

Heart goes out to those who loved him. Will remember how he set the standard for managing an NHL franchise so successfully - including treatment of players and fan outreach - that teams around the league so obviously tried to copy their formula.

Sad day for all Blackhawks fans. He turned the franchise around and helped get us 3 cups. Made it back into a respected franchise. I believe everybody connected to the organization during those 3 cups is now gone. Toews was the last player. Even Mike Gapski retired.

Sad day for all Blackhawks fans. He turned the franchise around and helped get us 3 cups. Made it back into a respected franchise. I believe everybody connected to the organization during those 3 cups is now gone. Toews was the last player. Even Mike Gapski retired.
- biskit67

We All have an expiration date.....believe it or not Death cannot be avoided no matter how much you try.

We All have an expiration date.....believe it or not Death cannot be avoided no matter how much you try.
- broncohorvath

I am 73, and this just shows how you never know when it is your time.

I wonder, if this had happened 18 months earlier if Kyle Davidson would have been given the free reign to tank and even be close to the bottom to win the Bedard lottery.


Do yourself a favor and don't read the subscriber comments after the Athletic announcement, written by Mark Lazarus.

You will avoid much of what is wrong and sad about the internet, and fans of other teams .

I am 73, and this just shows how you never know when it is your time.

I wonder, if this had happened 18 months earlier if Kyle Davidson would have been given the free reign to tank and even be close to the bottom to win the Bedard lottery.


Do yourself a favor and don't read the subscriber comments after the Athletic announcement, written by Mark Lazarus.

You will avoid much of what is wrong and sad about the internet, and fans of other teams .
- wiz1901

Yeah I would just avoid all comments everywhere, its not pretty

https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/community

We seem to ignore the off ice good that goes on.

I predict a logo and or name change coming shortly.

https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/community

We seem to ignore the off ice good that goes on.
- LAHawk

Funny how some people seem to be more interested and concerned with the negative.

Very grateful for Rocky's work with the Hawks. Getting the Hawks back on TV. Sitting with the fans. He will be remembered fondly.

I predict a logo and or name change coming shortly.
- Ogilthorpe2

I’d be surprised because there doesn’t seem to be the same outrage over the logo or name as in some others namely Cleveland and Washington. And should anything change I suspect it will be the logo. I’ve seen a mock up of a ‘black Hawk’ complete with the same feather colour scheme.

I thought it was a well written article.

I predict a logo and or name change coming shortly.
- Ogilthorpe2

Nah.

Some people live for the negative

I’d be surprised because there doesn’t seem to be the same outrage over the logo or name as in some others namely Cleveland and Washington. And should anything change I suspect it will be the logo. I’ve seen a mock up of a ‘black Hawk’ complete with the same feather colour scheme.
- paulr

Well, that and the Hawks have been involved with the local tribes for years. IDK, to me it would be a case of cutting off your nose to spite your face. Chief Black Hawks would fade into oblivion with a name and logo change. FFS, the name was chosen for the Army division because it represented a proud warrior with local history.

OMG we can't have that. I hate this world at times.

Some people live for the negative
- wizardofi

Amazing how a lifetime of good can be spit upon by one incident in which no one making comments knows what actually went on.

I am 73, and this just shows how you never know when it is your time.

I wonder, if this had happened 18 months earlier if Kyle Davidson would have been given the free reign to tank and even be close to the bottom to win the Bedard lottery.


Do yourself a favor and don't read the subscriber comments after the Athletic announcement, written by Mark Lazarus.

You will avoid much of what is wrong and sad about the internet, and fans of other teams .
- wiz1901

Not to be negative, but not only would I not read Lazerus's writing, I wouldn't pee on him if he was on fire. But I also don't wish him any ill either. And no matter if you like someone or not there is a time for respect and for RW that time is now.

Not to be negative, but not only would I not read Lazerus's writing, I wouldn't pee on him if he was on fire. But I also don't wish him any ill either. And no matter if you like someone or not there is a time for respect and for RW that time is now.
- 6628

one of my favorite sayings.

Well, that and the Hawks have been involved with the local tribes for years. IDK, to me it would be a case of cutting off your nose to spite your face. Chief Black Hawks would fade into oblivion with a name and logo change. FFS, the name was chosen for the Army division because it represented a proud warrior with local history.

OMG we can't have that. I hate this world at times.
- Elbows15

Wasn't that proud warrior killed by the U.S. military?

I don't think that the Blackhawk logo is nearly as derogatory as the Cleveland or Atlanta logos. When I saw Blair Atcheynum(Native American) say that he wore the sweater with pride, although just one man's opinion, I figured that the logo will be around for a while.

In the Associated Press article for Rocky's passing, half of it is about Beech.

I predict a logo and or name change coming shortly.
- Ogilthorpe2

Fold the team before that happens.

I'm glad I met him (albeit for less than a minute) and told him thanks for allowing my kids to watch the Blackhawks on TV. Peace to the Wirtz family.

Wasn't that proud warrior killed by the U.S. military?

I don't think that the Blackhawk logo is nearly as derogatory as the Cleveland or Atlanta logos. When I saw Blair Atcheynum(Native American) say that he wore the sweater with pride, although just one man's opinion, I figured that the logo will be around for a while.
- Dieselhead

No. died of natural causes at 71

Wasn't that proud warrior killed by the U.S. military?

I don't think that the Blackhawk logo is nearly as derogatory as the Cleveland or Atlanta logos. When I saw Blair Atcheynum(Native American) say that he wore the sweater with pride, although just one man's opinion, I figured that the logo will be around for a while.
- Dieselhead

My daughter used to teach at a Native First Nation Cree community Kashetchewan on the West Bank of James Bay. The Natives have both a hockey and baseball leagues for kids and adults and every different colour jersey has the Blackhawk logo. Seems they like it.

In the Associated Press article for Rocky's passing, half of it is about Beech.
- wizardofi

Yea that's why you just got to ignore reporters trying to make a name for themselves. I heard the news and didn't read anything on other blogs or Twitter. Nasty and tactless world we live in today.