Obligatory Post: R.I.P. Bill Wirtz

(x-posted on flyers.femme)

I'm torn...completely conflicted internally. And like all of the other times, this one's about my second-favorite team - the Chicago Blackhawks.

Bill Wirtz died yesterday. According to many who knew him (and frequently criticized him), Bill actually loved hockey. I'd hate to see what would have happened if he hated it.

So, here's my dilemma as a feeling member of the human race:

(a) On one hand, I'm sorry for him and his family. If you didn't know, Dollar Bill died from cancer. I've had several family members and friends die from various kinds of cancer, and it's not a good way to go. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

(b) On the other, I feel like breaking out in a round of "ding dong, the witch is dead, the wicked witch, the witch is dead, ding dong, the wicked witch is dead."

It's a cross-roads for Blackhawks fans. The heirs apparent are Peter and Rocky Wirtz. From my perspective, we have three possible outcomes:

(1) Peter and Rocky love hockey the same way as Bill, and trash it just as much...right after Sr. VP Bob Pulford has some time to work his brand of the same magic.

(2) Peter and Rocky love hockey just as much as Bill, but in a different (read: good) way and reintroduce the team to loyal fans and bring in new ones.

(3) Peter and Rocky sell the team for as much money as they can milk out of somebody who actually gives a shit for Blackhawk fans and knows how to run the team.

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Baby Hockey Fans

I took my daughter to her first hockey game in January.

I was terrified when I took her because I had taken her to a Bulls game in November and she HATED it. Hated it beyond believe. I ended up walking the concourse the whole time while she screamed every time people cheered.

But for some reason, she adored the Blackhawks game. Same place, far louder goal horn (which I did cover her ears for - if that doesn't force you to watch the game closely and not get distracted, I don't know what will!).

So we figured that we'd try her with the Bulls game again last night. She's 7 months old now, so she's a lot more interested in what is going on around her.

No dice. We walked in, the crowd cheered for something, and she lost it.

My theories on this are as follows:

1.) We had seats very close to the ice (11 rows off the glass!) vs. our 11-game ticket package with the Bulls that has us sitting up in section 312 where I fear falling to my death every time I stand to cheer. Maybe she just likes seeing the action?

2.) Basketball games have more cheering. Hockey tends to be lots of "Oooh!" but then only 6 or 7-ish actual legitimate cheers.

3.) Maybe she just likes hockey and hates basketball like her mom.

4.) There were probably 3 times the number of fans in the stands at the Bulls game.

This is a lengthy way of coming to the point that I hate Bill Wirtz. He owns the Blackhawks and has done more to mess up hockey viewership in Chicago than I thought anyone possibly could. People in this city love(d) hockey. They know the history.

But they won't go to games.

Why?

Each of these issues could (and probably eventually will) be its own post.

But he won't show home games on TV, so he doesn't build a younger, less rich fan base. Every time the Hawks got a good player who excited the fans, he would trade them (some examples: Roenick, Hasek, Belfour, Amonte, Chelios - who was traded to the Red Wings for approximately a bag of pucks and was the first trade between the teams in 50-something years). He hasn't done anything to help the team win since the early 90s and doesn't even seem to be interested in putting a winning product on the ice.

There is more. But it depresses me to talk about it. I need some time off to play with a baby and maybe watch Slapshot before I can delve deeper into it.

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