W. Rockwell “Rocky” Wirtz, the Chicago Blackhawks owner, chairman and fan-friendly, off-ice leader since 2007, passed away on Tuesday. The Hawks announced on Tuesday night that it was a “sudden passing.”
Things started to change for the good when Wirtz took over as the Hawks chairman, at both the NHL level, and with the Rockford IceHogs and its affiliation with the Hawks. It showed as the fans returned to the stadium for games, and the team(s) started winning again.
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Since he was promoted by his family to the position, the Hawks went on to win three Stanley Cup championships, and the Hogs made a run to the AHL semifinals, while continuously handing off top players to the NHL level.
Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz, who is Rocky’s son, expressed his thoughts on Twitter on Tuesday night.
“His passing leaves a huge hole in the hearts of many and we will miss him terribly,” said Danny Wirtz, who’s in line to take charge. His full statement is below. “Our dad was a passionate businessman committed to making Chicago a great place to live, work and visit, but his true love was for his family and close friends.”
Rocky Wirtz was instrumental in putting the team’s games back on television, and he was big in re-establishing the franchise’s connection to its top players from the past. His legacy is slightly tarnished, however.
He was the owner during the organization’s troubled times when Kyle Beach said he was sexually assaulted by then-video coach Brad Aldrich during the team’s run to the 2010 Stanley Cup title, and the Hawks were accused of burying it. A review by an outside law firm found that they mishandled the situation, but it also found that neither Rocky or Danny Wirtz were aware of what was going on, or the allegations.
According to a statement by the Wirtz Corporation, Rocky Wirtz passed on at NorthShore Evanston Hospital following a brief illness while surrounded by Danny Wirtz and his other three children, and his wife.
Here are the other statements that have been released since the announcement was first made:
Chicago Blackhawks statement
The Hawks’ statement of Wirtz’s passing was sent out last night. It read:
“It is with deep sadness that the Chicago Blackhawks organization joins the Wirtz Family in mourning the sudden passing of our Chairman W. Rockwell “Rocky” Wirtz today at the age of 70.
The Chicago Blackhawks have been in the Wirtz family since 1954 when Rocky’s grandfather, Arthur Wirtz, purchased the team. Rocky grew up within the walls of the storied Chicago Stadium and after taking over as Chairman of the Blackhawks in 2007, he led a renaissance of the organization that brought in a new generation of fans and reshaped the Blackhawks fandom as it stands today.
His commitments and investment delivered the team’s historic Stanley Cup championship victories in 2010, 2013 and 2015, brought Blackhawks games back to local television and packed the United Center for a lengthy sellout streak that lasted over 13 years. In that same time, Rocky also served as a member of the National Hockey League’s Executive and Audit/Finance Committees.
Above all else, Rocky was most proud to lead his family’s commitment to numerous civic and charitable organizations. His dedication to the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation and its mission to create a healthier, smarter, more secure world for families in and around Chicago was unwavering. The Foundation has donated millions of dollars to dozens of organizations focused on youth programs, education, housing and health and wellness.
When seeking a new practice rink for the Blackhawks, Rocky first considered the needs of the local community and invested $65 million to build a community ice rink first, and a practice rink second. The facility offers numerous benefits to Chicago’s youth who may not otherwise have the opportunity or resources to learn the sport of hockey. Since its 2017 opening, thousands of students have participated in programming at Fifth Third Arena, the Chicago Blackhawks Community Ice Rink.
Rocky also served as President of Wirtz Corporation since 2007, where his role extended to a vast array of businesses from sports and beverage distribution to entertainment, real estate, agriculture and banking. He also served as Co-Chairman of both the United Center Joint Venture and the Executive Committee of the United Center.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn, and children Danny (Anne) Wirtz, Hillary Wirtz (Erin Quaglia), Kendall (Brendan) Murphy, and Elizabeth Queen (Joe Barley). Rocky was also the proud grandfather of six grandchildren.”
Rockford IceHogs statement
The Hogs released a statement later on Tuesday night.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Rocky Wirtz,” the statement read. “He valued the importance of growing the game and what the development system meant for the future of the Blackhawks. Rockford and the IceHogs organization will forever be thankful for the legacy he left here with us. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wirtz family.”
Chicago Bears statement
The Chicago Bears chairman George H. McCaskey also released a statement last night.
“On behalf of the McCaskey family and the entire Bears Family, we would like to share our sincere condolences on the passing of Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz. Under his leadership, Rocky set the bar for excellence extremely high in Chicago with three Stanley Cup championships in recent years and, more importantly, was a gentleman, a family man and a friend to so many. He was also very giving of countless resources to the community in and around Chicagoland. Our prayers go out to the Wirtz family and the Blackhawks franchise.”
Jay Taft is a Rockford Register Star sports reporter. Email him at jtaft@rrstar.com and follow him on Twitter at @JayTaft. Sign up for the Rockford High School newsletter at rrstar.com. Jay has covered a wide variety of sports, from the Chicago Bears to youth sports, since the turn of the century at the Register Star, and for over 30 years all together.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Hawks announce ‘sudden passing’ of owner and chairman ‘Rocky’ Wirtz
