Hawks reward McDonough with new multiyear contract

It might have been an off day, but it wasn't a quiet day for the Blackhawks on Monday with president John McDonough getting a contract extension through 2016.

"John has done a terrific job," chairman Rocky Wirtz said. "I've really enjoyed working with him. He demands perfection and he surrounds himself with very good people, which is a sign of confidence.

"We said we wanted to be relevant and I think we are relevant again."

Hiring McDonough away from the Cubs was one of the first things Wirtz did after taking over control of the Hawks in 2007.

Wirtz credits McDonough with orchestrating the dramatic turnaround that has seen the Hawks go from one of the worst franchises in professional sports to one of the most successful on and off the ice.

"Under John's leadership the Chicago Blackhawks have become a franchise leader in the National Hockey League," Wirtz wrote in a memo Monday to executives of the Wirtz Corporation. "His commitment, insight and guidance have led the organization to record attendance, unprecedented season ticket sales, new sponsorships and partnerships with WGN Radio and WGN-TV.

"John has played an instrumental role in building the organization at every level from front office to coaching, recruiting and player development."

McDonough was into the third year of the contract he signed when he left his old job as president of the Cubs.

"I think the most gratifying thing probably has been our ability to reward the fans and their feelings as if there has been positive change in the organization," McDonough said. "I think so many of them had left the franchise for so long and they gave us another chance.

"What we're striving for here is consistent excellence and we're going to do the best we can. Our goal here is to have an elite front office and an elite team."

The Hawks are drawing their highest television ratings ever and have sold out 76 consecutive games at the United Center, but McDonough knows none of this would be possible without a special collection of players who get the job done on the ice and are willing to do whatever it takes off it to promote the organization.

"It's a very unique and special group," McDonough said. "It's all about the player. We certainly recognize this franchise has come a long way in large part because we have a good team."

And the best might be still to come.

"It's all about winning the Stanley Cup," McDonough said. "I'm very, very fortunate to have a great owner in Rocky Wirtz. He understands the big picture. It's a privilege for me to work for someone that gets it. He understands where this franchise needs to go and how we need to get there."