Hawks, fans pay tribute to Spellman

They sit, proudly wearing their red Blackhawks jerseys, in the United Center's 300 level, in the last row below the press box. They stand a lot, too. Cheer a lot.

Paul Wiltberger and Mike Lane are season-ticket holders. Blackhawks fans.

Mike Spellman fans.

Mike Spellman was a fan of theirs too. Because Mike Spellman was a fan of all people who are genuine. It didn't matter if that person sporting the jersey was famous or not.

Mike Spellman always had time for people. Monday night, before the Blackhawks' game against Arizona, the home team gave him his time, his due. They honored Spellman, who died of an apparent heart attack on Jan. 20 - and longtime chief NHL off-ice official at the United Center Paul Ruck Jr., who also passed away recently - with a moment of silence.

Wiltberger and Lane loved the wisecracking side of Spellman, who spent 23 years with the Daily Herald and had assumed the role of Blackhawks beat writer after the passing of Tim Sassone last March.

"He always had a fun sense of humor," Wiltberger said of Spellman, who passed away one day shy of his 51st birthday. "We talked hockey. We'd just goof off with him."

Before Blackhawks home games, maybe between periods or during a stoppage in play, Wiltberger and Lane would look behind their seats and look up to talk to Spellman. Spellman would look down and engage in conversation, deadline be darned.

"All the articles about him mentioned how he was a great guy, and he was," said Lane, who lives in Lemont. "He was down to earth and just a great guy to mess with, a fun guy to have a laugh with."

Oftentimes, an inside joke was communicated with only a grin or glance.

"Sometimes no words were said," said Wiltberger, a Highland, Ind., resident. "It was just a look."

A scholarship drive to honor Spellman also is under way, and donations may be sent to: Saint Viator High School in care of the Michael Spellman Scholarship Fund, 1213 E. Oakton St., Arlington Heights, Ill. 60004.