In 2004, ESPN and all their wonder and wisdom made a choice that 11 years later seems to have truly been a turning point for an “Original 6” franchise ship wrecked and lost in one of North America’s most beloved cities. The major sports network called “Dollar Bill” Wirtz organization the Chicago Blackhawks the “worst in all of professional sports”. The team’s lack of not only success, but support in a town that still loves the loser Cubs was astounding. Wirtz had a lot to do with this overcharging for season tickets, refusing to sign a local television deal and a long track record of more than questionable roster choices. Year after year their bar of underachieving seemed to sink lower and lower and the team eagerly met the lowered expectations with ease.
The following year 2005 saw the beginning of this modern day dynasty and their championship puzzle being laid on the table. An undersized 2nd round defenseman who spent time at Michigan State, Kelowna and Norfolk before finally breaking onto the roster in ’05-06 with the Hawks, Duncan Keith has been everything and then some for his organization. It was not as if Keith was always a star but his arrival in hindsight was the 1st step needed to begin the championship pedigree. He was quiet, often forgotten about but a constant workhorse. Although, his arrival did not change the teams perianal bottom feeding.
In the next two drafts in 2006 and 2007 the Hawks selected 3rd and 1st overall respectively. It is here that the Chicago’s dynasty really begins. In ’06 University of North Dakota, center and Canadian Jonathan Toews fresh off a Frozen Four performance hears his name called and it takes him only 2 short seasons to earn the “C”.
Then in ’07 the 1st overall pick is used on an American playboy with a temper, and as many off ice issues as jaw dropping goals. Patrick Kane is not like his fellow teammates. Humble, quiet and professional are not how most would describe Kane. He is the yin to Toews/Keith yang. Kane supplies the perfect in your face flamboyance to counter “Captain Serious” Toews as his leadership by example model. From here the pieces really begin to fall into place for Chicago.
Also in ’07 Rocky Wirtz takes over for his recently deceased father. Rocky quickly begins to mend fences all over the windy city. He signs a television deal with Comcast; he hires beloved figures from all Chicago sports into management rolls while cross-marketing with fellow Chicago sport teams.
In ’08 Wirtz hires Joel Quinneville as Coach and Scotty Bowman as Director of Hockey Operations. Soon Stan, Scotty’s son, is the General Manager and just before the 2009-2010 season they sign free agent hit man for hire Marian Hossa to a long term deal. Earning his own long term deal blue liner cornerstone and now Norris trophy winner Duncan Keith. Finally with the right amount of magic the Hawks storm into the Cup Final and in 6 games beat the Philadelphia Flyers to claim their 1st title in nearly 50 years!!
The salary cap era in the NHL does all it can to stifle out this powerhouse as many players don’t return and two 1st round exits from the playoffs follow. The Hawks do not panic, they stay the course locking Kane and Toews into long term deals, keep key pieces to the roster such as Brent Seabrook and Patrick Sharp and in 2013 they return to the Cup Final this time against the Boston Bruins. Whom they beat in 6 games.
No dynasty is complete without an archenemy. In 2014 Chicago meet theirs face to face in the Western Conference Final. The Los Angeles Kings. captain Dustin Brown is scrappy and thrives by getting under opponent’s skin. They have Anze Kopitar from a distant country not known for hockey but soccer as their top forward. And unlike undersized/underappreciated Keith, L.A. has highly touted superstar blue liner Drew Doughty. In 7 games the Blackhawks fall to the Kings as they go on to win their 2nd title in 3 years. An impressive feat, and worthy of respect throughout the NHL.
True dynasties in modern day sports have to bounce back from adversity. This year the Chicago Blackhawks did just that. They set out to be the last team standing and through trades-call-ups-benchings and true belief in a system they found themselves in the Cup Final yet again. This time versus the Tampa Bay Lightning. Led there on the back of Duncan Keith, the offensive moxy of Patrick Kane and the leadership of Captain Toews they are once again raising Lord Stanley’s Cup beating Tampa in…you guessed it 6 games!
Only time will tell how this recent run by this amazing team will be told in the history books. How many more Cups can they win? How long can this line-up continue to thrive together? How many times will their names be carved into the Cup with the Chelsea Dagger? The Detroit Red Wings in the late 90’s and the unreal runs of the New York Islanders and Edmonton Oilers 80’s are the only recent NHL hockey dynasties to compare to and safe to say these Windy City heroes stack up very well.
Tampa Bay may have had the triplets’ line this season to ride into the Final but the Chicago Blackhawks’ BIG 3 has a third ring to prove they are still the best team in all of professional hockey.
Written by Inside Edge Hockey News Guest Writer: Will Rogers of Mucker Hockey.
Born and raised in Mesa, Arizona and introduced to hockey at an early age by his brother-in-law Will was benefitted by the Winnipeg Jets move to the valley. As a teen he joined the AZ Desert Youth Hockey Association (DYHA) competing in the Minor Division before promoting to the Premiere League Tier II Division. He also played at the famous ‘Spectrum Arena’ facilities for Inline Hockey Association Arizona (IHAAZ) in Chandler as a part of team ‘GEAR DRIVE’ a top travel program. He continues to participate in Coyote Adult Hockey Leagues in both Chandler and Scottsdale. He attended Mesa Community College and studied Business and Creative Writing while on a Journalism Scholarship. The father of 3 is currently an Operations Manager for ELITE PERSONAL TRAINING AND GYM in Mesa, AZ.