Now everyone proud of, 'Go Hawks'
Many of the moves are by now legendary, but we're still not exactly sure how everything went so right so fast for this marvel that is the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks. Surely, as Daily Herald sports writer Mike Spellman wrote in the Daily Herald Tuesday, the key was some combination of new owner Rocky Wirtz and team President John McDonough's renewed respect for Blackhawks fans and the sport of hockey. But, however it happened, we're grateful.
Declared by ESPN in 2004 to be the worst franchise in sports, the Hawks began a transformation in 2007 that is nothing short of inspiring.
They got back on television, while still doing more to encourage people to come to games. McDonough fashioned the "one goal" campaign to show the team meant business on the ice. They hosted the 2009 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field against fellow "Original Six" team the Detroit Red Wings. And, they started winning games again.
Suddenly, it felt special again to be a Hawks fan. Nor was it solely the victories that rekindled the unique relationship between Hawks fans and their team. More, it was the obvious desire for victories - the clear commitment in the front office and on the ice to amazing speed, toughness and offense - and trusting that success would follow.
That's really all Hawks fans ever asked. With nearly a half century since their last Stanley Cup Finals victory, the Blackhawks shared a dubious distinction among the sports franchises with the longest droughts since a league championship. Yet, while Hawks fans yearned ever earnestly for their shot at the top prize, they were quick to pour out their passions on teams that demonstrated pure heart, respect for the game and the valiance of always demonstrating a best effort, even if the ultimate result is disappointing.
In a similar vein, Daily Herald sports columnist Mike Imrem accurately noted Sunday that more Bears from the 1-13 Chicago Bears of 1969 - including Gale Sayers, Dick Butkus and Doug Buffone - are appreciated by Chicagoans today than any of the 13-3 Chicago Bears who made it to the 2007 Super Bowl (Rex Grossman anyone?). How perfect, then, that the Blackhawks brought back Tony Esposito, Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull as team "ambassadors" last year, reminding fans of the pride that's been the team's hallmark.
Now, we're all enjoying the fruits of the Hawks' new spirit. We've watched the team steadily mature throughout the season, playing with the single-minded intensity epitomized by Duncan Keith's performance Sunday after having seven teeth knocked out early in the Western Conference clinching game against the San Jose Sharks.
Like Hawks fans of old, we're eager to take on all comers in the sport's biggest showcase. The Philadelphia Flyers have demonstrated the kind of pluck that can bring a team back from a three-games-to-none deficit to win a playoff series. They promise a battle that won't be decided until the horn sounds to end the final game.
And Hawks fans can now say with grateful pride, we wouldn't want it any other way.