Breaking the ice with new Blackhawks chief

John McDonough was talking with reporters after being introduced as the new president of the Blackhawks when one of the scribes suggested he implement celebrity Zamboni drivers.

"You have no idea how many ideas I've heard," he said with a laugh.

We also have no idea about whether ideas -- if any -- that worked for McDonough on the North Side will follow the former Cubs president to the West Side of town.

What we probably won't see:

• Baskets replacing protective netting, ivy along the boards, and a manual scoreboard instead of a big screen.

• A strange dude in a full Blackhawks uniform outside the United Center chanting "Hawks-hoo, Hawks-hoo" and going by the name of Larry Hoo Hoo.

• Guest conductors leading fans in "Good Old Hockey Game," during the "second intermission stretch."

• "Pully the Bear" giveaways to honor former coach, general manager and vice president Bob Pulford.

What we'll probably see:

• A mid-summer fan fest. If McDonough has his way (and he undoubtedly will), perhaps next summer the organization will host its inaugural Hawks Fest, similar to the Cubs Convention that McDonough originated 21 years ago.

"It's something I'm going to encourage the Blackhawks to do," he said. "We're going to take a long look at that."

• More public appearances by the players -- particularly young guns Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. If you want to fill the UC, it'll take adults and kids.

• More home games on TV this season. McDonough was effusive in his praise of Hawks chairman Rocky Wirtz and his decision to televise seven home games. Expect McDonough to do whatever it takes to get even more on the air as soon as possible.