Chicago Blackhawks

Not just known for its skyscrapers, deep-dish pizza and strong wind, Chicago is known for its historic sports teams, including the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks were founded in 1926 and are one of the original six NHL teams. The team has won five Stanley Cup championships since its inception, the most recent occurring in 2012-2013.

The team’s first owner was Frederic McLaughlin, a businessman and soldier. He was said to be very patriotic and often tried to fill Chicago’s roster with as many Americans as possible although far less played in the NHL during this time period than today. McLaughlin was considered a hands-on owner and made several coaching changes throughout his time with the team. The team won two Stanley Cups during McLaughlin’s 18 years of ownership, in 1934 and 1938.

McLaughlin passed away in 1944 and James Norris, who owned Chicago Stadium and was the team’s landlord since his purchase of the stadium in 1936, became the owner. Norris also owned the Detroit Red Wings and as a result of this ownership, the Blackhawks suffered for several years, as Detroit was noticeably Norris’ priority. When Norris passed away, his oldest son, also named James, took over Chicago’s team, along with Arthur Wirtz, who was a Red Wings minority owner. Together, Norris and Wirtz rebuilt the team including hiring a former Detroit coach and Red Wings players.

The team won its third Stanley Cup in 1961 after defeating the Montreal Canadiens, who had beat them the previous two seasons in the first round of the playoffs. The team made two more Stanley Cup appearances in the 1960s, but was defeated both times. When Norris passed away in 1966, the Blackhawks became owned and controlled by Wirtz, along with his son, Bill Wirtz.

From 1966 to 2007, the league’s expansion of teams allowed Chicago to move into the Western Division. The team made the playoffs each year in the 1970s but never made it to the Stanley Cup finals. Chicago appeared in the finals again in 1992 but was defeated. Many Chicago natives became disinterested in the team during the 1990s and early 2000s due to unpopular policies regarding TV broadcasts and in-game elements that Bill Wirtz instituted. The tea

m moved to the United Center in 1995 which is also home to the NBA’s Chicago Bulls. In 2006, Chicago drafted Jonathan Toews third overall. Toews was named captain of the team the following season at age 20 and is one of the youngest players to be named captain in NHL history.

When Bill Wirtz passed away in 2007, his son, Rocky, took over the organization and remains the owner today. Rocky made many changes including roster changes, big moves in free agency as well as TV partnership agreements. Under Rocky Wirtz’s ownership, the team has won three Stanley Cup Championships defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in 2009-2010, defeating the Boston Bruins in 2012-2013, and defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2014-2015.