18 Facts About Rocky Wirtz

1.

William Rockwell "Rocky" Wirtz was born on October 5,1952 and is the principal owner and chairman of the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks.

2.

Rocky Wirtz is president of the Blackhawks' parent company, the Wirtz Corporation, a diversified conglomerate headquartered in Chicago.

3.

Rocky Wirtz is half-owner of the Blackhawks' home arena, the United Center, along with Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

4.

Rocky Wirtz graduated from North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, Illinois in 1971.

5.

Rocky Wirtz grew up in the liquor business and assumed control of Rocky Wirtz Beverage Group in 2007.

6.

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.

7.

Rocky Wirtz was the first nationally established beverage alcohol broker in Canada.

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8.

In 2015, Rocky Wirtz merged the $2.5 billion alcohol-distribution business with Charmer Sunbelt Group to create Breakthru Beverage Group.

9.

Rocky Wirtz inherited the Blackhawks upon the death of his father, Bill Rocky Wirtz, in 2007, becoming only the fifth principal owner in the franchise's 81-year history.

10.

Almost immediately after becoming the new owner, Rocky Wirtz altered many of his father's policies, which many fans saw as anachronistic.

11.

Rocky Wirtz stated in an interview that he would keep Dale Tallon as Blackhawks general manager and Denis Savard as head coach.

12.

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.

13.

On October 22,2007, Rocky Wirtz announced the team negotiated with Comcast SportsNet Chicago to televise home games.

14.

Rocky Wirtz hired former Chicago Cubs team president John McDonough, to become the new president of the team.

15.

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".

16.

The report states that Rocky Wirtz was not aware of the allegations at the time.

17.

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.

18.

Rocky Wirtz has three children from a previous marriage, along with a stepdaughter from his current marriage and six grandchildren.