New United Center atrium a big hit
Fans who attend Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bulls games at the United Center will now have a 190,000 square-foot atrium in which to congregate, pick up tickets and shop for their team's gear.
The center piece of the addition is the Michael Jordan statue, which used to be outside the UC.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Alderman Walter Burnett Jr., Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz, Bulls president and COO Michael Reinsdorf all were in attendance, as were ex-Bulls Horace Grant and Tony Kukoc and ex-Blackhawks Tony Esposito and Jamal Mayers.
"It is insane how many people love to come here and take pictures (of the Jordan statue)," Reinsdorf said. "It's been six or eight months since people have been able to take pictures, so we're excited to open up this addition."
The atrium entrances will be open every day from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., unless an event is going on, in which case it will be open until one hour after a game or concert. The 10,000 square-foot retail store is set to open on the ground floor this summer. A sky bar, cafe and bar will open during the 2017-18 season.
"Can you imagine going to the box office and (finally) not freezing your you know what off?" said Wirtz, who also told assembled media and more than 100 invitees that the Hawks' practice facility just to the south of the United Center should be ready by December.
Mayor Emanuel said Chicago police officers are in awe at how the West Side has been transformed over the past 20 years.
"I can't say enough about the Bulls and Blackhawks organizations," Emanuel said. "Yes, it's a beautiful building. But what is beautiful is what emanates from the philosophy of these two organizations to give back to this city, create jobs and opportunities. … They reach back, grab a hand and pull another person through that door of opportunity.
"Both of these organizations have given us great thrills with championships. I want you to also know that you make a lot of kids around the city champions, and I want to thank you for that commitment to another generation."
Crawford better:
Corey Crawford did not play Wednesday against Pittsburgh, but the Blackhawks goalie said he felt "way better" after suffering through a brief illness.
"It was a good practice," Crawford said. "There's no rush right now, I guess. Darls (Scott Darling) is playing great, so that's always good. I've just got to battle in practice, get the timing back and go from there."
Slap shots:
The Hawks did pull off one final trade at the deadline, sending Spencer Abbott and Sam Carrick to Anaheim in exchange for forward Kenton Helgesen and a seventh-round pick in 2019. Helgesen, 22, has 3 goals and 10 assists with the ECHL's Utah Grizzlies this season. … Jonathan Toews was named the NHL's First Star in the month of February. The Hawks' captain had 7 goals and 11 assists in 10 games. … The 9-1-0 mark the Hawks compiled in February is second best in franchise history during that month. The only better record came when they went 11-0-2 in 2012-13.