Rocky Wirtz, the principal owner of the Chicago Blackhawks, has passed away. He was 7꧃0 years old.
Rocky inherited the Blackhawks upon the death of his father, Bill Wirtz, in 2007. Upon taking controlling interest in the team, he immediately rectified the lack of local television broadcasts. Rocky was🌼 also co-chairman of Breakthru Beverage Group, president of Wirtz Corporation, was half-owner of the United Center (alongside Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf) and was on the Board of Trustees at Northwestern University.
Rocky’s son, Danny Wirtz, took over the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Blackhawks on December 16, 2020 and serves as alternate Governor to the NHL.
Under Rocky’s leadership, the Blackhawks went from being referred to as “the worst run team in professional sports” to an NHL dynasty. The games went from empty to standing room only. The number of championship banners in the rafters doubled.
The Blackhawks (and Bulls) have made steady improvements to the United Center campus as well, building the new atrium building adjacent to the east side of the building. They have made regular updates to the food and🌠 beverage offerings inside the building as well.
From a business and hockey perspective, the first decade of Rocky’s tenure were solid gold.
However, the lasting mark on the franchise from the findings of the investigation into the sexual assault of Kyle Beach are still very real. Mistakes were made, and organizational changes followed — but not quickly enough. The last time Rocky made a public appearance on behalf of the organization was at general manager Kyle Davidson’s introductory press conference in March 2022.
UPDATE: the NHL released the following statementꦫ from commissioner Gary Bettman on Tuesday evening:
The National Hockey League ꦓfamily is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of W. Rockwell ‘Rocky’ Wirtz.
Devoted to family and the Chicago Blackhaw♉ks, Rocky was a native son of Chicago and an accomplishedꦏ businessman. Rocky took over control of the Blackhawks in 2007 and almost immediately restored the passion and following of this storied, Original Six franchise.
Rocky’♒s focus on connecting with the Club’s fans and improving the team’s performance on the ice rekin⛦dled Chicago fans’ love affair with their hockey team and built a modern dynasty – the Blackhawks won Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
On a personal level, Rocky was a dear friend whose꧙ counsel I consistently sought. He was a highly respected member of the Executive Committee of the League’s Board of Gover﷽nors whose wisdom and camaraderie were valued by his fellow owners.
The NHL sends its sincere𝄹 condolences to Rocky’s wife, Marilyn; his children, Danny, Kendall a﷽nd Hillary; Marilyn’s daughter, Elizabeth; and their six grandchildren. He will be missed terribly.
