Rocky Wirtz, the principal proprietor of the Chicago Blackhawks since 2007, died on Tuesday at age 70.
Wirtz was the fifth proprietor in franchise historical past, inheriting it from his father, Invoice, after his demise in 2007.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated in a launch that the league was “deeply saddened” by Wirtz’s demise.
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Proprietor and Chairman Rocky Wirtz of the Chicago Blackhawks prepares to talk to the group in the course of the Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Championship Rally at Soldier Discipline on June 18, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Pictures)
“Dedicated to household and the Chicago Blackhawks, Rocky was a local son of Chicago and an completed businessman,” Bettman stated. “Rocky took over management of the Blackhawks in 2007 and nearly instantly restored the fervour and following of this storied, Authentic Six franchise.”
Rocky Wirtz, Chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks, speaks in the course of the Chicago Blackhawks’ 2013 Stanley Cup Championship rally at Hutchinson Discipline in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois on JUNE 28, 2013.
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“Our hearts are very heavy at the moment. Our dad was a passionate businessman dedicated to creating Chicago an excellent place to dwell, work and go to, however his real love was for his household and shut pals,” Wirtz son, Blackhawks CEO Danny, stated. He was a loving father, a loyal husband to Marilyn, a brother, a nephew, an uncle and a doting grandfather to his six outstanding grandchildren. His passing leaves an enormous gap within the hearts of many and we’ll miss him terribly.”
Wirtz received three Stanley Cups in his tenure, bringing the Cup to the Windy Metropolis in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
He was two years previous when his grandfather Arthur, bought the crew in 1954.
Proprietor and Chairman Rocky Wirtz of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates by hoisting the Stanley Cup after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning by a rating of 2-0 in Recreation Six to win the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Closing on the United Middle on June 15, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Pictures)
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Wirtz helped re-establish the franchise’s connection to a few of its finest gamers from the previous. He put the crew’s video games again on native TV, and followers returned to the United Middle throughout a prolonged sellout streak that led to 2021.
Whereas Wirtz was in management, the crew made the playoffs 10 instances and reached 5 Western Convention Finals.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
