Leafs fan here, but my dad has been a Hawks fan for 70+ years so I've always been a fan of them, too. The one saving grace I had in childhood was that my dad's team had gone longer than mine without winning the Cup. Then Rocky's poophead miser of a dad died, Rocky took over, and completely turned that franchise around.

He did good things for the game of hockey in the city of Chicago and that shouldn't be lost on people. The Beach stuff sucks and should never be overlooked but from my understanding (and I'll be the first to admit I might be wrong here) Rocky wasn't secretly masterminding the whole situation or anything like that so bringing that up and making it the focus like The Athletic did is just such a poopty move.

RIP Rocky, thank you for bringing such happiness to my father!

I feel that people struggle to differentiate between a bad person and a good person who did something bad (or made a bad choice). None of us are good people who only make the best choices. With a public figure like Mr. Wirtz we'll never know all the details of their lives. While we shouldn't ignore the bad decisions a good person makes, I don't feel we should let it define them or overshadow the good they've done. There's always nuances of course, but we need to view each situation in context.

Mr. Wirtz has made some tremendous contributions to his community and bringing the Blackhawks back to relevance. Not only did that bring happiness and excitement to the fan base, but it also created jobs and helped improve the quality of life for many families. Yes, the Wirtz family made money along the way too, but that's how corporations work and there's nothing wrong with that.

I don't have an issue with reporters including the Kyle Beach situation, but when the report focus on this issue or is dominating the report I think that's ignoring the great work Mr. Wirtz has done.

Report the good and the bad, in proper context to who the person is.
- DarthKane

this

Aho extends 8 years with the Canes. So much for that potential UFA.

https://twitter.com/Canes...tatus/1684201919613476865
- MartiniMan

I'm not surprised Carolina was able to keep him. Aho was the 2024 UFA I was hoping KD could target. I don't think Matthews is leaving Toronto and from (at least) a cap perspective I don't see Matthews being a fit here.

For the right price and term Nylander could be a good add, he might be the odd man out in Toronto.

KD may be better served to wait until 2025 to add a major piece via free agency. Both Draisaital and Rantenen (the better choice) could be available. Chychrun will also be available on defense, and could be worth keeping an eye on.

I feel that people struggle to differentiate between a bad person and a good person who did something bad (or made a bad choice). None of us are good people who only make the best choices. With a public figure like Mr. Wirtz we'll never know all the details of their lives. While we shouldn't ignore the bad decisions a good person makes, I don't feel we should let it define them or overshadow the good they've done. There's always nuances of course, but we need to view each situation in context.

Mr. Wirtz has made some tremendous contributions to his community and bringing the Blackhawks back to relevance. Not only did that bring happiness and excitement to the fan base, but it also created jobs and helped improve the quality of life for many families. Yes, the Wirtz family made money along the way too, but that's how corporations work and there's nothing wrong with that.

I don't have an issue with reporters including the Kyle Beach situation, but when the report focus on this issue or is dominating the report I think that's ignoring the great work Mr. Wirtz has done.

Report the good and the bad, in proper context to who the person is.
- DarthKane

Great post Darth.

Would not be surprised.

I feel that people struggle to differentiate between a bad person and a good person who did something bad (or made a bad choice). None of us are good people who only make the best choices. With a public figure like Mr. Wirtz we'll never know all the details of their lives. While we shouldn't ignore the bad decisions a good person makes, I don't feel we should let it define them or overshadow the good they've done. There's always nuances of course, but we need to view each situation in context.

Mr. Wirtz has made some tremendous contributions to his community and bringing the Blackhawks back to relevance. Not only did that bring happiness and excitement to the fan base, but it also created jobs and helped improve the quality of life for many families. Yes, the Wirtz family made money along the way too, but that's how corporations work and there's nothing wrong with that.

I don't have an issue with reporters including the Kyle Beach situation, but when the report focus on this issue or is dominating the report I think that's ignoring the great work Mr. Wirtz has done.

Report the good and the bad, in proper context to who the person is.
- DarthKane

Well said Darth!

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

He was captured by the army, released, and given tours of east coast cities before retiring to Eastern Iowa where he dictated his autobiography through a translator. The first Native American ever to do so. Black Hawk was a great leader to his people during a time of transition, and those are almost always violent and unfair times. That morons look at his commemoration by the Blackhawks organization as belittling is beyond the pale. The same judgementalism that permitted the conquest of native civilizations is also inherent in the fools who don't know their history.

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

it's funny you mention that ass hat. It was the first thing I thought of and the moral police jerking each other off in the comment section should come as no surprise. Find me a perfect person. They do NOT exist. I don't know what else these trolls want. They did an investigation. They stood in front and took countless bullets and trash from crusaders like Lazerus and Thompson at the townhall.

I was watching the replay from the 1992 cup final last night game 4.....and it brought me back to emotional rollercoaster every year my parents, brother and I would endure as Bill Wirtz did everything in his power to win at the lowest price possible. Imagine if Keenan won and they got Lindros?

I drove college in the spring of 2002 to go watch Steve Passmore and Sullivan vs STL knowing they had ZERO chance to win the cup....but after years out of the playoffs...all in. personal goal to own season tickets.....accomplished that and going to the games in 2007-2018 were memories i won't trade for anything.

Rocky Wirtz made it possible. Met him at the first hawks convention walking into the Brian Campbell panel. Genuine nice guy.... not a sleaze ball suit like McDonough.

i can't imagine being a family member after his passing and reading clowns bash a family member. I truly hope Danny Wirtz and Faulkner go nuclear and just revoke Lazerus's press pass. One thing to report news completely other thing to have an agenda and beating a dead horse. Do the Hawks really need all these media guys? Would the average fan understand that revoking a press pass is warranted?

I would love to meet Lazerus in person......May go hang around the elevator in the 300 level and see if that weasel makes his way down and I'll gladly get booted when I verbally trash his entitled righteous toxic ass. He deserves it......sure he has a complex from being picked last his entire childhood in any athletic event he participated in gym class.

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

100% not....not unless the Wirtz family were to sell. If it were to happen you point at one person and one person only....Faulkner.

Maybe there will be a McDonough sighting at Rocky's services.
- boilermaker100

He won't talk.......if he ever did he'll come to his puppet Uncle Barry Rozner. Hopefully whatever rock he is under collapses on him.

Nothing woke about facts
- fattybeef

Funny....never see those facts work against the dems.

Zero issue reporting a story, investigating a story, holding those accountable. Those all happened.

Major issue with finding any reason to drum up a negative narrative anytime where it has ZERO to do with the present day. Exactly what a spineless dolt like Lazerus does and his style of writing is exaclty what is wrong with American Journalism today.

If you can't see the difference I am sorry. one day you will..........

it's funny you mention that ass hat. It was the first thing I thought of and the moral police jerking each other off in the comment section should come as no surprise. Find me a perfect person. They do NOT exist. I don't know what else these trolls want. They did an investigation. They stood in front and took countless bullets and trash from crusaders like Lazerus and Thompson at the townhall.

I was watching the replay from the 1992 cup final last night game 4.....and it brought me back to emotional rollercoaster every year my parents, brother and I would endure as Bill Wirtz did everything in his power to win at the lowest price possible. Imagine if Keenan won and they got Lindros?

I drove college in the spring of 2002 to go watch Steve Passmore and Sullivan vs STL knowing they had ZERO chance to win the cup....but after years out of the playoffs...all in. personal goal to own season tickets.....accomplished that and going to the games in 2007-2018 were memories i won't trade for anything.

Rocky Wirtz made it possible. Met him at the first hawks convention walking into the Brian Campbell panel. Genuine nice guy.... not a sleaze ball suit like McDonough.

i can't imagine being a family member after his passing and reading clowns bash a family member. I truly hope Danny Wirtz and Faulkner go nuclear and just revoke Lazerus's press pass. One thing to report news completely other thing to have an agenda and beating a dead horse. Do the Hawks really need all these media guys? Would the average fan understand that revoking a press pass is warranted?

I would love to meet Lazerus in person......May go hang around the elevator in the 300 level and see if that weasel makes his way down and I'll gladly get booted when I verbally trash his entitled righteous toxic ass. He deserves it......sure he has a complex from being picked last his entire childhood in any athletic event he participated in gym class.
- SteveRain

Great post!

100% not....not unless the Wirtz family were to sell. If it were to happen you point at one person and one person only....Faulkner.
- SteveRain

These are the only two ways I see that happening.
Danny decides to sell the Blackhawks and a new owner wants to change the logo or Faulkner whispers it to Danny. Not sure what she is like, but it wouldn't surprise me if she is the type that says it is time for a change bla bla bla

I feel that people struggle to differentiate between a bad person and a good person who did something bad (or made a bad choice). None of us are good people who only make the best choices. With a public figure like Mr. Wirtz we'll never know all the details of their lives. While we shouldn't ignore the bad decisions a good person makes, I don't feel we should let it define them or overshadow the good they've done. There's always nuances of course, but we need to view each situation in context.

Mr. Wirtz has made some tremendous contributions to his community and bringing the Blackhawks back to relevance. Not only did that bring happiness and excitement to the fan base, but it also created jobs and helped improve the quality of life for many families. Yes, the Wirtz family made money along the way too, but that's how corporations work and there's nothing wrong with that.

I don't have an issue with reporters including the Kyle Beach situation, but when the report focus on this issue or is dominating the report I think that's ignoring the great work Mr. Wirtz has done.

Report the good and the bad, in proper context to who the person is.
- DarthKane

Well said.....it's the scale......and when people get tunnel vision just on the negative narrative of his legacy......it's hard to take them seriously or respect their opinion.

The hypocrisy in today's culture is by far our biggest issue. On both sides.

These are the only two ways I see that happening.
Danny decides to sell the Blackhawks and a new owner wants to change the logo or Faulkner whispers it to Danny. Not sure what she is like, but it wouldn't surprise me if she is the type that says it is time for a change bla bla bla
- captainserious

I just worry about the Wirtz family power struggle about to unleash. Believe Peter is still around.....believe he was always the rumored face to take over the Hawks.

I hear very good things about Danny from guys I know who work for Breakthru beverage. I hope he holds on to the Hawks and continues his father legacy. I also hope he learned from his father's mistake and doesn't empower a person like Faulkner in the same fashion McEgo was.

Funny....never see those facts work against the dems.

Zero issue reporting a story, investigating a story, holding those accountable. Those all happened.

Major issue with finding any reason to drum up a negative narrative anytime where it has ZERO to do with the present day. Exactly what a spineless dolt like Lazerus does and his style of writing is exaclty what is wrong with American Journalism today.

If you can't see the difference I am sorry. one day you will..........
- SteveRain

Steve I’ve read posts from you for years ranting about Lazarus and you still rant about recent articles he’s written. Why do you keep reading him if he’s that offensive? I know I just avoid reporters, writers and commentators that I feel are inaccurate or just bad. Just say no to Lazarus!!

Amazing how a lifetime of good can be spit upon by one incident in which no one making comments knows what actually went on.
- Elbows15

Unfortunately it was a pretty bad judgment call.

We live and are defined by our actions, good or bad.

When success or money is put ahead of the right thing to do then I can see why so many negative reactions. Some may not like as we dont live in a society where people especially men are sympathetic to to this kind of tragedy. Bottom line no one denies it happened and how many team members supported his cause or called out the Blackhawks for the non action after the investigation? Yeah, exactly.

NHL didn't take this lightly so the consequences were valid according to the investigation. All that being said its again unfortunate that this will stain Wirtzs legacy somewhat but I'm sure it wasnt all bad and he did oversee 3 cups and made hockey fun again so for that and many other things we the fans are entirely grateful.

So let's celebrate the good and learn hopefully from the mistakes because after all someone lost a dad today and a partner and their lives have been impacted and will never be the same so for that we say RIP and god bless and safe journey and thanks!

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.
- BetweenTheDots

Proper reporting = responsible journalism
There is room to mention the affiliation with the Beach “affair” in the editorial but only in the context of saying something like a short factoid with no editorialization of a heavy hand regarding right or wrongness in the culpability.

And as a matter of fact, the team did admit responsibility and accepted a penalty for their failure to properly address the situation at the time of occurance and many years thereafter. So keeping that in mind, an attempt to report factually is proper reporting

A mention of Wurtz character and sitting with fans is fine. This is how I would have wrote the rest of the news report/editorial:

Rocky Wurtz was at the helm as the team’s CEO
Since 2007. During that span of time the Blackhawks won three Stanley Cups, which is a remarkable feat few teams in professional sports achieve. But a black eye occurred when the organization failed to properly handle the Kyle Beach sexual assault until Beach sued and under pressure the team accepted responsibility and poor judgment years later

Proper reporting = responsible journalism
There is room to mention the affiliation with the Beach “affair” in the editorial but only in the context of saying something like a short factoid with no editorialization of a heavy hand regarding right or wrongness in the culpability.

A mention of Wurtz character and sitting with fans is fine. This is how I would have wrote the rest of the news report/editorial:

Rocky Wurtz was at the helm as the team’s CEO
Since 2007. During that span of time the Blackhawks won three Stanley Cups, which is a remarkable feat few teams in professional sports achieve. But a black eye occurred when the organization failed to properly handle the Kyle Beach sexual assault until Beach sued and under pressure the team accepted responsibility and poor judgment years later
- jhawk59

I think they actually handled that respectfully. Instead of dragging it out and inflicting more pain on the parties involved, they had the chance to do the right thing the next time and i think they did.

https://twitter.com/AlexM...Pkm131EJu61cdlzt9zdQ&s=19

Looks like Logan Cooley is going to sign his ELC

Proper reporting = responsible journalism
There is room to mention the affiliation with the Beach “affair” in the editorial but only in the context of saying something like a short factoid with no editorialization of a heavy hand regarding right or wrongness in the culpability.

And as a matter of fact, the team did admit responsibility and accepted a penalty for their failure to properly address the situation at the time of occurance and many years thereafter. So keeping that in mind, an attempt to report factually is proper reporting

A mention of Wurtz character and sitting with fans is fine. This is how I would have wrote the rest of the news report/editorial:

Rocky Wurtz was at the helm as the team’s CEO
Since 2007. During that span of time the Blackhawks won three Stanley Cups, which is a remarkable feat few teams in professional sports achieve. But a black eye occurred when the organization failed to properly handle the Kyle Beach sexual assault until Beach sued and under pressure the team accepted responsibility and poor judgment years later
- jhawk59

Who the heck is Rocky Wurtz?

It is sad that Rocky died, the guy rescued this franchise from the gutter when his dad died. Never thought we’d be considering him the old and out of touch one so soon, but the Beach fiasco was a big misstep on his part.
Rocky created one of my favorite things in the world, and was a good owner for this team. He was always friendly in the halls, seemed to enjoy meeting fans and was a pretty cheerful guy for someone with billions of dollars and everyday decisions that would make me sleepless.

He created fifth third arena, which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed skating at. He made the organization first class in so many ways that he could’ve cheaper out on. Aside from Kane and Toews, this guy did more for hockey in Chicago than just about anyone in the last fifty years. He deserves all the fond memories we have.

He wasn’t perfect, and his tirade was ugly during the town hall, it’s a shame that it was our last memory of him. I like to think he tried to do right by everyone, Kyle included, by commissioning the report and releasing it. He messed up, and never really apologized, so that blemish is on him. Doesn’t make him a bad person. By all accounts he treated his employees and plenty of people he could’ve ragged on very well.

I’m glad Danny is taking over, he seems pretty sharp and forward thinking. RIP Rocky.

RIP Rocky,and thank you.

Steve I’ve read posts from you for years ranting about Lazarus and you still rant about recent articles he’s written. Why do you keep reading him if he’s that offensive? I know I just avoid reporters, writers and commentators that I feel are inaccurate or just bad. Just say no to Lazarus!!
- paulr

In my warped world, I feel to understand both sides of an argument you need to be educated. I watch both sides of the political spectrum and same holds true for writers. It took me until lunch time to go read his piece on Wirtz and it was what I figured it would be. Just another egotistical writer who gets his clicks and subscriptions and I get I play into it.

It truly puzzles me how people can read his writing and forced agenda and think that's right. I am not a Wirtz defender by any stretch. I just feel what the Hawks did and the changes, settlement that all came out of it was maximized on their end. outside of getting in doc browns delorian what else do people want? Does Lazerus or Thompson take any accountability for baiting an owner into a public meltdown?

Social media should be a PHD level pysch/socio course in college. The amount of perfect people walking around is alarming.

I only go by what I see, experienced and heard from people I trust......Rocky saved our team. He brought us into current day in more ways than it' fair to count and if it got him standing ovations and what not early on at games behind the west goal....so be it. From what I recall he was in print/radio/tv 1/100th the time McDonough was. So in my world....Wirtz really didn't seek the attention or glad handling the same way and to have people just constantly dance on his grave because they read hit piece after hit piece from pieces of human trash like Lazerus.....yeah, I have a beef.

It is sad that Rocky died, the guy rescued this franchise from the gutter when his dad died. Never thought we’d be considering him the old and out of touch one so soon, but the Beach fiasco was a big misstep on his part.
Rocky created one of my favorite things in the world, and was a good owner for this team. He was always friendly in the halls, seemed to enjoy meeting fans and was a pretty cheerful guy for someone with billions of dollars and everyday decisions that would make me sleepless.

He created fifth third arena, which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed skating at. He made the organization first class in so many ways that he could’ve cheaper out on. Aside from Kane and Toews, this guy did more for hockey in Chicago than just about anyone in the last fifty years. He deserves all the fond memories we have.

He wasn’t perfect, and his tirade was ugly during the town hall, it’s a shame that it was our last memory of him. I like to think he tried to do right by everyone, Kyle included, by commissioning the report and releasing it. He messed up, and never really apologized, so that blemish is on him. Doesn’t make him a bad person. By all accounts he treated his employees and plenty of people he could’ve ragged on very well.

I’m glad Danny is taking over, he seems pretty sharp and forward thinking. RIP Rocky.
- ObeseOprah

I just hope Danny stays in power.........Peter is lurking.