August 16 is a unique anniversary for sports fans in the United States. On this date 69 years ago, the world was introduced to a new magazine named Sports Illustrated. The first cover, which featured Milwaukee Braves star Eddie Matthews, was a gorgeous photo — what became the signature of the magazine. (Apologies for the typo in the tweet!)
In the decades since, the Chicago Blackhawks have been dozens of times. As someone who read every issue of SI cover-to-cover back in the day, any time a Chicago team was on the cover was exciting. Over the years, there have been some terrific stories about Blackhawks greats — because we all get it for the articles (wink). But the cover is the money.
So with a stick tap to the greatness of SI over the years, here are my top six all-time Sports Illustrated covers including Chicago🍃 Blackhawks over the years. Note: I am not including the commemorative issues for the three championships, even if I still have those three issues at home well preserved in my man cave.
6. Maggie’s Smile (1970)
I went with six favorites because there was no way I could leave out this shot of Keith Magnuson showing off his “smile” back in 1970. Maggie became a fan favorite in the 70s with his tough play and willingness to do anything for his teammates. And that is a hockey smile if I’ve ever seen one.
5. Kaner’s Celebration (2016)
During his MVP season, SI crowned Patrick Kane “the NHL’s best player” with this great cover shot. We saw this celebration so many times over the years — on a knee with an exuberant fist pump.
4. “The Franchise” (2013)
With the NHL desperately trying to emerge from another lockout, the Blackhawks stormed 🐭to an incredible, historic start to the abbreviated 2013 season. And SI caught the essence of that team with this photo. Grinders celebrating a game-winning goal.
3. Keith’s Shot (2015)
This is one of my favorite action shots in SI cover history. On home ice at the United Center, with the Stanley Cup in the building, Duncan Keith scored the most famous goal of his career — and here it is, captured for all-time. SI joined the chorus in crowning the Blackhawks a dynasty after their third championship in six seasons, and this was the clinching shot.
2. Stan the Man (1967)
For those of us who are too young to have seen Stan Mikita play, we have to rely on old film and photos to see what NHL games were like back in the day. But this image, to me, is an all-time great shot of the Blackhawks’ bench, with Stosh front and center. With all due respect to everyone who won rings with the dynasty team in the last decade, Mikita is still the Blackhawks’ GOAT. And this cover is classic.
1. Golden Toews (2014)
Yeah, I know — this isn’t specifically a Blackhawks cover. But this image showed Jonathan Toews at his peak, and he was the player SI chose to be on the cover for a story about “the greatest Olympic squad ever assembled.” In the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, Toews may have taken a back seat to Sidney Crosby in the team’s captaincy but a case can — and has — been made that he was the best forward on those two teams. And only one of them made the all-tournament team in 2010 (hint: it wasn’t Sid).
