Danny Wirtz: The New Face of the Blackhawks

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Ryan Hall
August 15, 2023 (9:51)

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The Wirtz Corporation has stood as a cornerstone company in the city of Chicago and its surrounding areas for several decades. Established in 1926 by Arthur Wirtz, the corporation initially focused on real estate holdings and liquor distribution.

Over time, it has also become synonymous with Chicago's sports venues and teams, notably as the sole owner of the Chicago Blackhawks since 1966. Additionally, the Wirtz Corporation held ownership of the Chicago Bulls until 1985 when it was sold to Jerry Reinsdorf.

However, the Wirtz family faced a profound loss in late July of this year with the passing of owner Rocky Wirtz. Rocky Wirtz had been a familiar presence, frequently attending Blackhawks games and representing the team. His sudden and unexpected death sent shockwaves through the NHL.

Now, the reins of the Blackhawks have been handed over to Rocky's son, Danny, who has held the position of CEO since 2020. In an interview with The Athletic, Danny discussed various aspects of the team and outlined his vision for leading it in the wake of his father's untimely passing.

He candidly acknowledged, "

I'm good at corporate buzzwords. They come out so naturally, and I apologize. Call me out when you hear them. But we want to have some substance behind [those buzzwords]."

When asked about his perspective on how the Blackhawks should play, it becomes evident that General Manager Kyle Davidson and Luke Richardson have a firm grasp on the direction and are aligned with Danny's objectives.

Danny stated, "

We wanted to make sure we have a competitive team that played hard every night. I think our fans respond to the effort level, even if it doesn't always translate into wins on the ice."

Furthermore, Danny expressed his views on the long-term trajectory of the team, emphasizing the importance of establishing a distinct team culture and identity.

He shared, "

I think, too, of the long-term prospect of the next great Blackhawks team. We have to start with this sort of culture and identity � how we want to play, the style and effort we want to embody � and I believe that blueprint is currently being established by Luke and Kyle. Naturally, we need to infuse more into it to climb up the standings, but a strong foundation is essential. I am genuinely optimistic that there's a comprehensive plan in place for rebuilding. Concurrently, a crucial on-ice framework is under construction. On our better nights, you can witness it coming to fruition."

Danny Wirtz appears to possess a keen understanding of the necessary steps to elevate the organization's standing and competitiveness within the NHL. With his leadership, combined with the guidance of Davidson and Richardson, the Blackhawks seem poised to return to their position as a formidable playoff contender sooner than later.