Rocky Wirtz knew that the Chicago Blackhawks were a sleeping giant when he took over the team in 2007.
Wirtz gained control of the franchise following the death of his father, Bill. While the elder Wirtz had been a dominant businessman who had built a thriving liquor business, his theories in the hockey business had not been as successful.
In addition to using outmoded and failing principles when it came to running his hockey franchise, (Bill) Wirtz's stubbornness was an even bigger factor in the Blackhawks' struggles. The Blackhawks had been in the Wirtz family since the 1940s, and Bill Wirtz was not about to listen to any outsiders when it came to running the Blackhawks. That included his inner circle.
One of those in Wirtz's group of advisers was his son Rocky. He knew his father was not going to change his ways, so he sat by patiently, knowing he couldn't do anything about it.
But when William died in 2007, Rocky was ready at the controls to change the way the Blackhawks did business.
He had been thinking about what he would do with the team ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Steve Silverman