Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

[Bomber]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

*raising hand*. Go Hawks!

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Yea, that is sound logic... But then again, you have to define "fan"... Remember that this team was only drawing 12,000-13,000** fans in the mid-2000's.... Most people that are fans today don't have a clue about guys like Eric Daze, Jocelyn Thibault or Alexi Zhamnov


** This was "Paid" attendance for most games... Actual attendance was probably well under 10,000 on many occasions... A far cry from the sellouts that we see now...

There are certainly a lot of folks who have just come around and the unfortunate thing is that they have made it much harder for me to get to games as the price points have changed dramatically in the past few years. I'm just not willing to spend $350 for my son and I to go to one hockey game. (assuming 2 seats in the 200's, parking, gas, tolls, food and hookers ) Just kidding about the food.

I remember Daze, Thibault and Zhamnov. I remember that they weren't nearly enough to build a team around. If you look at the assets that they let walk (or traded) for almost nothing in the 90's...

Chelios, Roenick, Belfour, Hasek and on and on.

Even though he's dead and gone, I still hate $-Wirtz for what he did to the team(s) that I grew up loving and then loved as a young adult.

Even though we didn't win a Cup, 1981 - 1995-ish were awesome years with a lot of great, great Hawks.

1996 - 2007 was a bad, bad dream and even I was worn out as a fan after 7 or 8 years of no hope.

Thanks God for Rocky and John McDonagh and also Dale and now the Bowmans.

 

[Biddco]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Yea, that is sound logic... But then again, you have to define "fan"... Remember that this team was only drawing 12,000-13,000** fans in the mid-2000's.... Most people that are fans today don't have a clue about guys like Eric Daze, Jocelyn Thibault or Alexi Zhamnov


** This was "Paid" attendance for most games... Actual attendance was probably well under 10,000 on many occasions... A far cry from the sellouts that we see now...

That will happen when your team is not performing well on the ice. I bet it didn't help that other teams were doing very well in Chicago at the time.

 

[dubbie31]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

There are certainly a lot of folks who have just come around and the unfortunate thing is that they have made it much harder for me to get to games as the price points have changed dramatically in the past few years. I'm just not willing to spend $350 for my son and I to go to one hockey game. (assuming 2 seats in the 200's, parking, gas, tolls, food and hookers ) Just kidding about the food.

I remember Daze, Thibault and Zhamnov. I remember that they weren't nearly enough to build a team around. If you look at the assets that they let walk (or traded) for almost nothing in the 90's...

Chelios, Roenick, Belfour, Hasek and on and on.

Even though he's dead and gone, I still hate $-Wirtz for what he did to the team(s) that I grew up loving and then loved as a young adult.

Even though we didn't win a Cup, 1981 - 1995-ish were awesome years with a lot of great, great Hawks.

1996 - 2007 was a bad, bad dream and even I was worn out as a fan after 7 or 8 years of no hope.

Thanks God for Rocky and John McDonagh and also Dale and now the Bowmans.

$Bill Wirtz dying was the best thing to happen to the team. Rocky is the exact opposite of his father.

I remember guys like Daze - Daze had so much talent yet never could really get the most out of it...sad really.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

I remember guys like Daze - Daze had so much talent yet never could really get the most out of it...sad really.

The way I remember it, they were selling Daze to us as our new superstar, our new Roenick. He just wasn't ever going to be that. You had to have more around him as he was talented (second line talented), but nobody can do it alone.

Also, he got injured quite a bit, if memory serves.

Oh well, things sure are good now and I believe they had a Daze heritage night last season which is cool coz it's not his fault that the teams he was on were far from complete.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

That will happen when your team is not performing well on the ice. I bet it didn't help that other teams were doing very well in Chicago at the time.

These are valid, but it goes far beyond that.

To get into the psyche of Hawks fans who eventually stopped going to games you have to understand how depressing it was to see your team on the verge of a Cup over several seasons with several top level talents and then have management systematically dismantle it without any apparent plan or desire to ever get back to that point.

When I first started following the Hawks (early 80's) we had a core of Savard, Larmer, Secord, Doug Wilson, Troy Murray etc and that transitioned over 10 years to Roenick, Chelios, Belfour, Tony Amonte etc and then transitioned to almost an empty cupboard and stayed that way for over 10 freaking years.

Now this didn't happen in some small market, it happened in Chicago. There was money to spend and Wirtz just wouldn't do it and eventually, many of us just said screw it until the old man dies. And then he just kept on living and living and living...

Fast-forward to now and they (we?) seem like a front-running fanbase (and some are bandwagoneers, no doubt), but having grown up around it, at their core, Blackhawks fans are good fans. Those who criticize for the poor attendance in the late 90's early 00's just can't understand unless you lived through it. Honestly, they (management) weren't even trying to be good.

Whew! Therapy session over. I feel better now...

 

[dubbie31]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

The way I remember it, they were selling Daze to us as our new superstar, our new Roenick. He just wasn't ever going to be that. You had to have more around him as he was talented (second line talented), but nobody can do it alone.

Also, he got injured quite a bit, if memory serves.

Oh well, things sure are good now and I believe they had a Daze heritage night last season which is cool coz it's not his fault that the teams he was on were far from complete.

I'll agree with you there. I think it was a bit of both the team factor and the injuries that hampered him.

Another guy I'm glad to have back...Pat Foley!

Oh yeah...

Go Cubs and Bears too...even though they suck at the moment...haha

 

[bronconick]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Fast-forward to now and they (we?) seem like a front-running fanbase (and some are bandwagoneers, no doubt), but having grown up around it, at their core, Blackhawks fans are good fans. Those who criticize for the poor attendance in the late 90's early 00's just can't understand unless you lived through it. Honestly, they (management) weren't even trying to be good.

Whew! Therapy session over. I feel better now...

My only complaint is when people give Chicago a pass for this reason (which is acceptable) and then hammer Atlanta or Columbus, for example.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

My only complaint is when people give Chicago a pass for this reason (which is acceptable) and then hammer Atlanta or Columbus, for example.

I get your point, but I think those two particular cities are mentioned because there is some question as to whether they are good hockey markets win OR lose. To be honest, I was pretty excited for Winnipeg that they have hockey again. Always kinda like the Jets' jersey and Dale Hawerchuk was a favorite non-Hawk when I was growing up. Anyway, I digress...

Anyone, anywhere is entitled to stop paying to watch a crappy product (or even a good product) in person. Money is money and sporting events are pretty expensive not to mention the opportunity cost associated with spending money on tickets.

Go to a Blackhawks game with my son where they may win or they may come out flat and lose to an inferior team? Or go to 2 Badger games with the entire family AND order Centre Ice and watch every game from my couch in front of the 60" right here in Mosinee, er, I mean Madison for the same cost?

Hmmmmm.....

 

[RaceBoarder]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

So with Hayes and Shaw both being VERY impressive, Coach Q is gonna have to make some decisions down the road regarding who stays and who goes to Rockford... Thoughts?

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

So with Hayes and Shaw both being VERY impressive, Coach Q is gonna have to make some decisions down the road regarding who stays and who goes to Rockford... Thoughts?

Not just Q, but Bowman too.

I like both of these kids and would hate to see them traded for a rental. I mean, I understand using rentals to make a run and there is certainly some question as to whether these kids can continue to play at the level that they have.

But if they can maintain this level and we get Sharp back, I like this team.

There's chatter though about getting a defenseman and/or a true second line center.

We'll see what happens, but if I'm Q, I keep both of these guys because of the energy that they are infusing.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Lots of former Hawks coming to town with the Panthers tonight. Campbell, Kopecky, Versteeg and Skille. Madden, if he suits up. Glad to see these guys along with Dale have some success in Florida - first place, last time I checked.

I hope the fans treat them with reasonable respect, especially Campbell. A lot of people didn't like Campbell or at least didn't like him at his salary. I hope they don't boo when he has the puck as he was instrumental in our Cup run. We were on the ropes against Nashville until he came back.

Loved Campbell in a Hawks uni, just wish it was for 4-5 mil.

 

[MavHockey14]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

I'm not a true hawks an, but I want them to win outside of when try play the Wild. I'm a huge Toews fan, he was my idol growing up a a hockey player once I hit middle school. Have two jerseys, love everything about the kid.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

I'm not a true hawks an, but I want them to win outside of when try play the Wild. I'm a huge Toews fan, he was my idol growing up a a hockey player once I hit middle school. Have two jerseys, love everything about the kid.

I enjoyed watching Toews even before the Hawks drafted him.

He was great in the WJC which wasn't so great from an American's perspective, but you could see the character that this kid had, even as a young man. I believe he single-handedly ruined Frazee's confidence with those shootout goals.

He was even arguably Canada's best player in the most recent Olympics.

Got to see him play the Badgers of course when he was at UND and don't remember too many details other than him and Oshie lighting us up.

With the Hawks he has been everything you'd want from a captain. Skill, humility, grit, toughness, non-stop motor... The guy almost WILLS his team to compete at another level.

He will go down as an all-time great Hawk, surpassing even Savard and Roenick. No question about it.

And I've said it before, but he may also go down as the best to ever go through Grand Forks on the way to the NHL.

 

[Farce Poobah]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

I enjoyed watching Toews even before the Hawks drafted him.

He was great in the WJC which wasn't so great from an American's perspective, but you could see the character that this kid had, even as a young man. I believe he single-handedly ruined Frazee's confidence with those shootout goals.

He was even arguably Canada's best player in the most recent Olympics.

Got to see him play the Badgers of course when he was at UND and don't remember too many details other than him and Oshie lighting us up.

With the Hawks he has been everything you'd want from a captain. Skill, humility, grit, toughness, non-stop motor... The guy almost WILLS his team to compete at another level.

He will go down as an all-time great Hawk, surpassing even Savard and Roenick. No question about it.

And I've said it before, but he may also go down as the best to ever go through Grand Forks on the way to the NHL.

During the 2010 Olympics, I forget if it was Mike Babcock (coach) or Steve Yzerman (GM) who replied "anyone I put out there with Toews" in response to the question "Who's your best player right now?"

Priceless quote, and his other coaches - at UND and Coach Q in Chicago - have said basically the same thing. I think it had a big influence on his being named the Best Forward at the 2010 Olympics.

 

[Farce Poobah]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

I will pipe in here as a fan.

Not just because North Dakota used a Blackhawks logo for many years, but because of the influence Frederick McLaughlin had on Fido Purpur, who founded hockey - with others - at UND in the 1940's. McLaughlin was willing to hire American players when nobody else would, including Purpur and John Mariucci, who remained friends and rivals for many years following their days with the Blackhawks.

Also, because some of the best Fighting Sioux ever have come through Chicago, including Eddie Belfour and Troy Murray. (The year that Murray won the Selke as the league's best defensive forward while racking up 45 goals and 54 assists is one for the books too.)


I had the privilege recently of attending a game at the United Center, and it is a remarkable game day experience. Simply outstanding. If you go, get there early and drink it all in, including the statues outside, the warmup drills, the pregame videos and of course the National Anthem.

Put a game at the UC on your bucket list. (Even if you can't afford to go very often, as I agree about the expense.) But also do it when things are rocking, like they are now.

 

[aparch]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Don't forget to head West on the Kennedy Expressway and hit up the Wolves. They're the ones who made the 'Hawks step up their game.

Plus, you get fireworks every Wolves game, and the ORIGINAL anthem singer Wayne Messmer.


The only thing the UC does better is pack in the drunks in the 300 level and the big spenders who don't care what sport is playing in the 100 level.

 

[RaceBoarder]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Don't forget to head West on the Kennedy Expressway and hit up the Wolves. They're the ones who made the 'Hawks step up their game.

Plus, you get fireworks every Wolves game, and the ORIGINAL anthem singer Wayne Messmer.


The only thing the UC does better is pack in the drunks in the 300 level and the big spenders who don't care what sport is playing in the 100 level.

If you go to a Wolves game, it means that you <3 the Canucks and endorse them as your team

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Re: Official USCHO Chicago BLACKHAWKS thread! • Is there anybody out there?

Last game for a week due to the All Star break. For once, I have no conflict with my son's practice or my own playing. Can sit in the cave and enjoy!

After the break , The Hawks go on a 9 game, nearly three week roadie.

Love the west coast swings though as the later games typically allow me to view without distraction although I find that the older I get, the more likely that I'll miss the third period and wake up about 2am in a puddle of drool.

 

[aparch]

If you go to a Wolves game, it means that you <3 the Canucks and endorse them as your team

Aww. Someone's bitter that the "big bad rival" camped their affiliation in the Blackhawks back yard. It's a shame you feel that way because it's still AHL hockey and it's a Chicago team. A few Blackhawk fans that are also Wolves fans have a strong dislike for the Rockford Icehogs. I, as a Wings fans, dislike the Grand Rapids Griffins when they play the Wolves... I wish the GRG all the best when they get called up to the Wings though.

Just because they're the Baby 'Nucks doesn't mean you have to like the parent club or like the player when they get called up.