Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz remembered as owner of the people
CHICAGO (CBS)-- Blackhawks fans packed the United Center on Wednesday to honor a man who helped bring three Stanley Cup championships to Chicago.
A public memorial service for late Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz took place Wednesday morning.
Wirtz died last month following a short illness. The 70-year-old led the franchise for the better part of the past two decades, winning three Stanley Cup titles in a span of six years, becoming a beloved figure in his native Chicago.
Family, friends, colleagues, and Blackhawks fans were invited to the United Center to pay their last respects. His family held a private memorial service on Tuesday ahead of the public memorial.
Speakers at the United Center on Wednesday included Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Chelios, who played for the Blackhawks for nine seasons, and has been a team ambassador since 2018. Blackhawks color commentator and former goalie Darren Pang and former CBS 2 anchor and Wirtz family friend Rob Johnson also spoke, as will several members of the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup championship teams.
The many players who won the Stanley Cup with the franchise took the stage to say "Thank you."
"Rocky means a lot to all of us players," said former Blackhawks right winger Marian Hossa. "We will never forget what he has done for us."
Former Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook added, "Rocky made us players feel like we were in this together. It was never him being an owner and us being players. We were all pulling on the same rope together."
While the Blackhawks had a great deal of success under Wirtz, it had its fair share of controversy.
In October 2021, an investigation found the team mishandled a situation in which a former player, Kyle Beach, was sexually assaulted by then-video coach Brad Aldrich during the 2009-10 season.
Still, fans said they wanted to come share in this moment in Blackhawks history.
"The Blackhawks are like family to me. They've always been, but Rocky just made it just a much enjoyable experience," David Sinetra said, whose had season tickets for 47 seasons.
"His legacy is that I never thought I'd ever see Chicago win one Stanley Cup, let alone three Stanley Cups," Rita Ferretti said.
"He's left a lasting legacy on the franchise, and you can see by the three banners that are going to forever be hanging at the UC," Anthony Ferretti said.
Some fans said they even took off the day from work to be at the United Center with their Blackhawks community for Wirtz's memorial.
Fans will have the opportunity to share their favorite Wirtz stories at the end of the memorial.
For anyone wishing to pay their respects, instead of flowers, the family is asking people to donate to the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation.