Blackhawks Fan Hasn't Missed A Home Game Since 1966
CHICAGO (CBS) -- When the puck drops for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final at the United Center on Monday, a Skokie man will continue an amazing streak of attending more than 2,200 Blackhawks home games, dating back to the original Chicago Stadium.
Through all the ups and downs over the past 49 years, Bob Gertenrich has been in his seat for every Blackhawks home game since 1966. Gertenrich, 68, said he's pretty sure he holds the record, having attended every home game since he was 19.
He didn't even miss a game the day his mom died in 1991 or after having foot surgery a few years ago.
"I went to 47 games that one year, with the foot surgery," he said. "At 31 of them, I was in a wheelchair. My friends had to … push me across Damen Avenue, and some of those nights, it was a little dicey out there, with the weather."
His first season tickets cost him less than $100, but the most recent season cost him more than $13,000 for three seats.
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Gertenrich has been in his seat through the recent good years and the leaner times before the team's resurgence, which coincided with the death of former owner Bill Wirtz.
"Five thousand people there sometimes," he said. "They had 3,400 season ticket holders one time, before Mr. Wirtz passed away."
He said he's counting on the Blackhawks to win the Stanley Cup, but he fears the Lightning won't be pushovers.
Gertenrich said he likes all sports, but there's nothing like hockey.
"The pace of the game now, compared to 20, 30 years ago -- incredible," he said.
By his count, Gertenrich has been to 2,261 games, and counting.
