William Rockwell "Rocky" Wirtz was an American businessman.
24 Facts About Rocky Wirtz
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Rocky Wirtz was the principal owner and chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League.
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Rocky Wirtz was president of the Blackhawks' parent company, the Wirtz Corporation, a diversified conglomerate headquartered in Chicago.
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Rocky Wirtz oversaw Wirtz Corporation's commercial and residential real estate companies, wine and spirits distributor Breakthru Beverage Group, an insurance company, and banks in Illinois and Florida.
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Rocky Wirtz was half-owner of the Blackhawks' home arena, the United Center, along with Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf.
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Rocky Wirtz graduated from North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, Illinois in 1971.
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Rocky Wirtz grew up in the liquor business and assumed control of Rocky Wirtz Beverage Group in 2007.
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In 2014, Rocky Wirtz Beverage expanded outside the US announcing it was taking over as the exclusive Canadian distributor for Diageo beer, wine and spirits brands.
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Rocky Wirtz was the first nationally established beverage alcohol broker in Canada.
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In 2015, Rocky Wirtz merged the $2.5 billion alcohol-distribution business with Charmer Sunbelt Group to create Breakthru Beverage Group.
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At the time of his death, Rocky Wirtz served as co-chairman of Breakthru Beverage Group.
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Rocky Wirtz inherited the Blackhawks upon the death of his father, William "Dollar Bill" Bill Wirtz, in 2007, becoming only the fifth principal owner in the franchise's 81-year history.
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However, Peter was uninterested in owning the Blackhawks, and instead allowed Rocky Wirtz to assume control of the team.
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Rocky Wirtz was forced to borrow money from other companies within the Wirtz Corporation to keep the franchise afloat.
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Almost immediately after becoming the new owner, Rocky Wirtz altered many of his father's policies, which many fans saw as anachronistic.
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Rocky Wirtz stated in an interview that he would keep Dale Tallon as Blackhawks general manager and Denis Savard as head coach.
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Rocky Wirtz affirmed at the time that Bob Pulford would remain as the team's senior vice president, but later reassigned him to Blackhawks liaison on NHL affairs.
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On October 22,2007, Rocky Wirtz announced the team negotiated with Comcast SportsNet Chicago to televise home games.
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Rocky Wirtz hired former Chicago Cubs team president John McDonough, to become the new president of the team.
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Former star players Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita, who were not on good terms with the elder Rocky Wirtz, returned to the team in the role of "ambassadors".
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The report states that Rocky Wirtz was not aware of the allegations at the time.
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On February 2,2022, Rocky Wirtz became agitated and responded harshly when asked about the incident during a town hall session with fans and reporters.
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Rocky Wirtz had three children, including Danny, from a previous marriage, along with a stepdaughter from his second marriage and six grandchildren.
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Rocky Wirtz died at a hospital in Evanston, Illinois, on July 25,2023, at the age of 70.