Hawks fans state their case
Our readers have their say:
May have to start watching hockey
I'm a huge Cubs fan. John McDonough has been a great asset for the North Side, and I'm sorry to see him go.
However, with the impending change in ownership, there's going to be some shake-up, and quality people will be lured elsewhere when the preferred personnel are brought in.
It's good to see McDonough stayed in Chicago. With the Hawks adding Toews, Kane and now McDonough, they've gone from just being a team to having the makings for a fine organization. I may just have to start watching hockey.
Aaron Degler
St. Charles
Starting to feel the enthusiasm
I could not be more thrilled with the turnaround the Blackhawks have started.
Barry Rozner and Tim Sassone have been carrying the torch through the dark times, but now I can feel their enthusiasm as each coming week reveals a new step toward rebuilding the once mighty franchise. I even find myself looking for ways to think of the sterile United Center in a new light.
It's been exciting watching the Hawks be able to actually skate the puck across the opponents' blue line. If Pat Foley and Wayne Messmer return, I can't imagine missing a game. Thanks for the great coverage!
Bill Lescher
Gurnee
Give us all the home games on TV
The hiring of John McDonough really means nothing if ownership is not willing to put out the money for quality players. When the Hawks rarely did put out decent money for a player, it was always for a quality player past his prime, and he never paid dividends.
As for the home games on TV, this is the usual way of Hawks ownership-management operates. They do things half-heartedly in that if you're going to finally do home games, do them all or don't even bother doing a measly seven games!
If the Hawks want to get the old fan base back, they better start doing things full out like having all homes games on TV so we can follow the team closely.
Frank Slove
Buffalo Grove
Where was this thinking years ago?
As both a Cubs fan and a Blackhawks fan, I am pleased with the recent changes.
Who knows what direction the Cubs will be in when the ownership changes, and Rocky Wirtz seems to be very smart and dedicated to the Hawks.
It's a shame someone has to pass away in order for things to go in the right direction. Bill Wirtz should have turned the team over to Rocky years ago, and he and Bob Pulford could have ridden off into the sunset.
John Abraham
Bartlett
Sad for Cubs, happy for Hawks
As a longtime Cubs and Blackhawks fan, I feel sadness and happiness.
Though John McDonough isn't a baseball guy, he was infusing the right attitude to get the Cubs a World Series title. I hope the impending team sale and John's departure will not diminish recent accomplishments. The fine Japanese players, some youngsters coming through the system, and a trade or two are what the Cubs need to take the next step. The train left the station; I hope it doesn't get derailed.
As a Blackhawks fan, I can't be happier. We Hawks fans are just starting to realize how lucky we are that Rocky's here. … John will help rebuild hockey here, repair the relationship with the Wolves, and I won't be surprised to see the golden voice of Pat Foley back at the UC, along with Billy Gardner.
It's not a stretch that we'll once again hear the best national anthem rendition reappear at the UC, courtesy of Wayne Messmer.
I thought the Hawks could be coming back with Pulford's departure and games on TV, now I'm sure of it.
Bob Richter
Lake in the Hills
Excited about watching Hawks
Hockey has always been exciting for me to watch -- fast, furious, skillful -- even more so since the lockout, and the Hawks are finally catching up.
They have the speed to maintain pace with other teams, developed leadership that they thought they bought before and actually do more than pay lip service to their character by exhibiting it on the ice for all to see. They are finally delivering the victories promised so often in the past.
Positive stories in the paper! Stories of rehab, confrontations, apathy replaced by competitive spirit, enthusiasm, hope and even a few victories. Although we've been led along this path in the past, I truly believe we have finally turned the corner.
Ed Gabler
Glendale Heights
Cubs will survive; Hawks will win Cup
A great move for the Chicago Blackhawks organ-I-zation and big loss for the Cubs. But from John McDonough's perspective, he's moving to a franchise with unlimited marketability and untapped exposure. …
The Cubs will survive for another 100 years without John McDonough and will continue to leave fans in tears, year after year. But the Blackhawks will have a Stanley Cup championship before the Cubs win the World Series now that John is their president.
Ronald J. Sgarlata
Schaumburg
Good luck needed
John McDonough has to be the greatest head of marketing ever to have fans spend their hard-earned money on the losingest team of all time. … Good luck drawing fans to the overpriced Blackhawks.
Jim Cornforth
Streamwood
It's up to Tallon to get the talent
I don't know if I'd call Rocky Wirtz a visionary, but clearly he has an idea of where the Blackhawks organization needs to go. So far his moves have been positive.
John McDonough can only help this old-school team transform itself into a modern franchise. There are tens of thousands of hockey fans in this city -- yes, that many -- that are happy to see this change in direction.
How sad it is that this action could only happen after the death of his father. We can only hope that the on-ice product continues in this direction as well. If not, all the marketing ideas you have won't keep the fans coming.
OK Dale Tallon, let's get some tough American and Canadian boys on the ice.
Bill Ankerholtz
Elgin
Can't wait to see what's next
I haven't been this excited about the Blackhawks since the years that Roenick, Chelios, Larmer, Belfour, and Dirk Graham ruled the ice at the Stadium.
I have supported them every year since then, so this is great for me.
Being a die-hard Cubs fan, I have always had the utmost respect for John McDonough and the job he did with the Cubs. They were his heart and soul, and it showed every year. I have no bitterness toward him nor anyone else. This is an outstanding decision on his part and Rocky's, and I can't wait to see what's going to happen next.
Todd Powers
Arlington Heights
Perfect timing for McDonough
I'm excited about the arrival of new team president John McDonough. I like to think that I am part of the "New Generation" of Blackhawks fans, and with the arrival of McDonough this opens the door for others to become new fans.
From what I read, it sounds like McDonough has some neat tricks up his sleeve to revive the Blackhawks fan base. His arrival comes at perfect time as the Blackhawks are winning games and Comcast SportsNet has begun to televise home games.
With two major components already in place, McDonough should be able recapture the city's attention with ease.
Ryan Heather
St. Charles
Some things for Hawks to consider
It is finally good to see the city talking positive about the Blackhawks. Here are some thoughts on what I see might happen:
• It would be good for John McDonough to negotiate a deal to bring back Pat Foley as the play-by-play announcer for TV.
• Bring back Wayne Messmer and re-energize the crowds at the UC.
• Rename the Chicago Blackhawks to the Chicago Black Hawks. This was their name for over 50 years, and it may be a nice thing to do.
• McDonough needs to get youth hockey programs more involved with games. They may need to give away tickets. This will cultivate a new generation of fans faster than the current pace.
Tom Kochevar
Buffalo Grove
A very good move
Good move for the Blackhawks. John McDonough is a smart man and can help rebuild this team! I don't believe McDonough would have been asked to stay on under the new Cubs ownership. I am not really sure his whole heart was into helping move that team forward knowing that his time was limited.
Marty Calabrese
Madison, Wis.
Not so fast…
The Blackhawks' recent moves, including naming John McDonough as team president and their improved play on the ice, have been encouraging for myself and a lot of Chicago hockey fans.
But, I believe most fans are giving them a "wait-and-see" approach before they start shelling out any money for ticket plans. Why should fans hurry back to support them after a disastrous decade of play and management decisions?
The team needs to rebuild fan trust in stages and not try to get a quick fix. And John McDonough appears to be the man for the job, especially after placing an emphasis on the fans when he worked for the Cubs.
One thing that stands out is the Blackhawks airing seven home games on Comcast SportsNet because of a scheduling conflict. What about showing other home games on Comcast SportsNet Plus or Plus 2, if not WGN?
Doesn't the organization know people are watching and listening to their moves very closely?
Walter Brzeski
Chicago