Bill Wirtz is dead (Chicago: condo, home, layoffs)

[Steve-o]

While Id like to extend my condolences to the Wirtz family (especially Peter), may I say that Im praying that this is a new beginning for the Blackhawks.

Cheers! Here's to home games on TV!

LETS GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!

[jdiddy]

The first thing I thought when I heard that was "Thank God."

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

The first thing I thought when I heard that was "Thank God."

I did the same, but mainly for the Hawks, not Wirtz or his family.

[HockeyFan]

Certainly, condolences to the Wirtz family. Listening to Phil Esposito today on XM Home Ice, the man definitely had his very good points.

And I agree -- I hope this is a new beginning for the Blackhawks. I never agreed with the decision to not televise home games, and it seemed there was too much animosity between the fans and Wirtz for things to turn around.

So... if the Hawks are okay this year... does the fan support return? If not, what will it take for the support to return?

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by HockeyFan

Certainly, condolences to the Wirtz family. Listening to Phil Esposito today on XM Home Ice, the man definitely had his very good points.

And I agree -- I hope this is a new beginning for the Blackhawks. I never agreed with the decision to not televise home games, and it seemed there was too much animosity between the fans and Wirtz for things to turn around.

So... if the Hawks are okay this year... does the fan support return? If not, what will it take for the support to return?

It took nearly a decade to kill the fanbase of one of the most supported teams in the NHL. It's not going to be rebuilt in a day, even if they are finally decent and become a fan friendly organization.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

It took nearly a decade to kill the fanbase of one of the most supported teams in the NHL. It's not going to be rebuilt in a day, even if they are finally decent and become a fan friendly organization.

Many, many, many people have instantly dropped their boycott after Wirtz's death and some even rushed to the ticket offices and many more even went and bought some sweaters. Read the boards on Chicago Blackhawks - The Official Web Site, www.wirtzsucks.com, HockeyBuzz.com, etc, and youll see how many people have actually decided to drop their boycott and start attending games again.

Here's to our Hawks!!! Cheers! May the old roar be ever present from here on out. May we make the playoffs (lol) and may Savvy bring us Lord Stanley's Cup to Chicago.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Many, many, many people have instantly dropped their boycott after Wirtz's death and some even rushed to the ticket offices and many more even went and bought some sweaters. Read the boards on Chicago Blackhawks - The Official Web Site, www.wirtzsucks.com, HockeyBuzz.com, etc, and youll see how many people have actually decided to drop their boycott and start attending games again.

Here's to our Hawks!!! Cheers! May the old roar be ever present from here on out. May we make the playoffs (lol) and may Savvy bring us Lord Stanley's Cup to Chicago.

Yeah, I'm one of them. I had a guy from the Hawks pestering me the last few weeks about ordering partial season tickets. I told him I wasn't buying any tickets until Wirtz sold the team. Well, he did one better and finally died on us, so now I'll be going to a few games (probably just the 5 game package at this point).

But still, even though it will be better, you're kidding yourself if you think next year will even be close to what it was in the 80's or early 90's.

Instead of 6,000, maybe they'll have 11,000 on weeknights. Maybe they can sell out a few non-detroit weekend games again. But we're not going to be seeing 20,000+ a night for years.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

Yeah, I'm one of them. I had a guy from the Hawks pestering me the last few weeks about ordering partial season tickets. I told him I wasn't buying any tickets until Wirtz sold the team. Well, he did one better and finally died on us, so now I'll be going to a few games (probably just the 5 game package at this point).

But still, even though it will be better, you're kidding yourself if you think next year will even be close to what it was in the 80's or early 90's.

Instead of 6,000, maybe they'll have 11,000 on weeknights. Maybe they can sell out a few non-detroit weekend games again. But we're not going to be seeing 20,000+ a night for years.

Noone is expecting an overnight change, thats for sure. But all the stars are aligned for a stellar future, its just up to the Hawks to win some games.

Also, the first home game is practically sold out.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Noone is expecting an overnight change, thats for sure. But all the stars are aligned for a stellar future, its just up to the Hawks to win some games.

Also, the first home game is practically sold out.

If whoever's in control of the hawks at this point has any brains, they will pull all strings to get that game on tv.

With Wirtz being gone and the promising youngsters on this team, I'm sure opening night will have an air of electricity the UC hasn't seen for years.

They'd do well to show off that atmosphere to all the Chicagoans who forgot that hockey existed.

[via chicago]

I think the earliest you could expect games on TV is next season.