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Chicago Blackhawks supporters last enjoyed a Stanley Cup in 1961, making them the most patient of 'Original Six' fans.
The Hawks...besides having one of the coolest jerseys in the NHL IMHO...have a great story and a great history. I've extracted a number of points, and more can be read here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Blackhawks
The Blackhawks have featured some of the game's most noteworthy players during that time. Bobby Hull, Glenn Hall, Stan Mikita, Pierre Pilote, Tony Esposito, Phil Esposito, Keith Magnuson, Bill White, Pit Martin, Dirk Graham, Tom Lysiak, Phil Russell, Eddie Belfour, Michel Goulet, Steve Larmer, Doug Gilmour, Dale Tallon, Doug Wilson, Darryl Sutter, Eric Daze, Jeremy Roenick, Denis Savard are just a few of those who starred for 'The Indian'.
The Hawks have had more than a few players with colourful names, like Dollard St Laurent, 'Moose' Vasko, 'Bronco' Horvath, and 'King Kong' Korab.
In terms of local content, Team 1200's Mike Eastwood is a former Blackhawk; so is San Jose GM Doug Wilson. Growing up in Ottawa in late 50's and early 60's when most kids picked Toronto or Montreal, I found myself moving away from that contentious choice and drawn to the electrifying team that featured The Golden Jet, Czechoslovak expatriate Stan Mikita, Pierre Pilote and Iron Man goalie Glenn Hall--IMHO one of the best goaltenders ever.
The franchise has had a proud legacy since it joined the NHL in 1926, with true legends like the Bentley brothers, Lionel Conacher, Bill Mosienko, Frank Brimsek, Howie Morenz, Ted Lindsay and even Bobby Orr all having worn Hawks colours.
Like all Original Six teams, Chicago has an enduring personality that has won the loyalty of their fans. The Hawks have a certain charismatic pride that their name, logo and colours suggest. The Blackhawks are, basically, fun to cheer for. And Chicago being a devoted sports town (with an NHL, AHL, NBA, and two MLB teams), winning is savoured, but effort is demanded.
In the modern era, the Hawks have generally been an exciting and competitive team, missing the playoffs only once between the 1961 Cup win and 1997-98.
The Stanley Cup has come to Chicago three times between 1926 and 1961, as have thirteen division titles.
However, they also have also seen their share of lean years. Between 1944 and 1958, the Hawks made the playoffs only twice. And from 1998 to 2007, a playoff spot eluded the Chicago squad.
The organization also suffered financially as fans sent a message to ownership by closing their wallets in frustration. But William Wirtz, for all his intransigence, kept the franchise in the family--and positive change eventually began to take place.
As former Hawks star and Pointe Gatineau native Denis Savard assumed the coaching duties, and the Blackhawks drafted Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith, the Blackhawks, who had been in rebuilding mode under GM Dale Tallon, began to re-emerge as a team worthy of Hawk pride.
This year, the Blackhawks have sprinted to a contending position. While the Detroit Red Wings, their long time rivals, have dominated their contests, the Hawks--one of the youngest teams in the league--have shown they can win against the best in the NHL.
Stan Mikita paid them the ultimate compliment when he compared them to the 1961 Cup winners during his appearance at the Winter Classic ceremonies. "We weren't the best team in the league, but we put it all together at the right time."
The comparison has a precedent. Mikita was part of his era's young trio of stars--him, Bobby Hull and Pierre Pilote--who led the Hawks out of the dark years and to the Cup.
The Vegas oddsmakers have the Blackhawks as 12-1 Stanley Cup favourites. With a talented group of players still realizing their potential, a management team that includes Tallon, Scotty Bowman and Joel Quenneville, and an executive led by the Wirtz family and John McDonough, the Blackhawks have come back. Their classic theme song, "Here Come The Hawks" is once again being heard. They promise to keep on coming for the next few years.
On this thread, I'd like to discuss anything and everything you'd like to talk about relative to the Blackhawks. As the recent 'Original Six' poll indicates, we have a few Hawks fans in this forum...
8)
The Hawks...besides having one of the coolest jerseys in the NHL IMHO...have a great story and a great history. I've extracted a number of points, and more can be read here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Blackhawks
The Blackhawks have featured some of the game's most noteworthy players during that time. Bobby Hull, Glenn Hall, Stan Mikita, Pierre Pilote, Tony Esposito, Phil Esposito, Keith Magnuson, Bill White, Pit Martin, Dirk Graham, Tom Lysiak, Phil Russell, Eddie Belfour, Michel Goulet, Steve Larmer, Doug Gilmour, Dale Tallon, Doug Wilson, Darryl Sutter, Eric Daze, Jeremy Roenick, Denis Savard are just a few of those who starred for 'The Indian'.
The Hawks have had more than a few players with colourful names, like Dollard St Laurent, 'Moose' Vasko, 'Bronco' Horvath, and 'King Kong' Korab.
In terms of local content, Team 1200's Mike Eastwood is a former Blackhawk; so is San Jose GM Doug Wilson. Growing up in Ottawa in late 50's and early 60's when most kids picked Toronto or Montreal, I found myself moving away from that contentious choice and drawn to the electrifying team that featured The Golden Jet, Czechoslovak expatriate Stan Mikita, Pierre Pilote and Iron Man goalie Glenn Hall--IMHO one of the best goaltenders ever.
The franchise has had a proud legacy since it joined the NHL in 1926, with true legends like the Bentley brothers, Lionel Conacher, Bill Mosienko, Frank Brimsek, Howie Morenz, Ted Lindsay and even Bobby Orr all having worn Hawks colours.
Like all Original Six teams, Chicago has an enduring personality that has won the loyalty of their fans. The Hawks have a certain charismatic pride that their name, logo and colours suggest. The Blackhawks are, basically, fun to cheer for. And Chicago being a devoted sports town (with an NHL, AHL, NBA, and two MLB teams), winning is savoured, but effort is demanded.
In the modern era, the Hawks have generally been an exciting and competitive team, missing the playoffs only once between the 1961 Cup win and 1997-98.
The Stanley Cup has come to Chicago three times between 1926 and 1961, as have thirteen division titles.
However, they also have also seen their share of lean years. Between 1944 and 1958, the Hawks made the playoffs only twice. And from 1998 to 2007, a playoff spot eluded the Chicago squad.
The organization also suffered financially as fans sent a message to ownership by closing their wallets in frustration. But William Wirtz, for all his intransigence, kept the franchise in the family--and positive change eventually began to take place.
As former Hawks star and Pointe Gatineau native Denis Savard assumed the coaching duties, and the Blackhawks drafted Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith, the Blackhawks, who had been in rebuilding mode under GM Dale Tallon, began to re-emerge as a team worthy of Hawk pride.
This year, the Blackhawks have sprinted to a contending position. While the Detroit Red Wings, their long time rivals, have dominated their contests, the Hawks--one of the youngest teams in the league--have shown they can win against the best in the NHL.
Stan Mikita paid them the ultimate compliment when he compared them to the 1961 Cup winners during his appearance at the Winter Classic ceremonies. "We weren't the best team in the league, but we put it all together at the right time."
The comparison has a precedent. Mikita was part of his era's young trio of stars--him, Bobby Hull and Pierre Pilote--who led the Hawks out of the dark years and to the Cup.
The Vegas oddsmakers have the Blackhawks as 12-1 Stanley Cup favourites. With a talented group of players still realizing their potential, a management team that includes Tallon, Scotty Bowman and Joel Quenneville, and an executive led by the Wirtz family and John McDonough, the Blackhawks have come back. Their classic theme song, "Here Come The Hawks" is once again being heard. They promise to keep on coming for the next few years.
On this thread, I'd like to discuss anything and everything you'd like to talk about relative to the Blackhawks. As the recent 'Original Six' poll indicates, we have a few Hawks fans in this forum...
8)
