The Wirtz Blackhawks Trivia Quiz

Answer: the Chicago Bulls

The Wirtz family owned many different business ventures including the four listed. However, the Chicago Bulls were owned by a group that is led by Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. They were the other 1/2 owners of the United Center, the only arenas with 3 rings of luxury suites. Why the Wirtz family did not reinvest some of that money into the product on the ice confounds many a Blackhawk fan.

Answer: 1961

Answer: 1977

He served many different roles including coach, G.M., associate coach, and Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations. The Blackhawks won exactly zero Stanley Cups in the 70s 80s and 90s since he joined the club, but were the League's most profitable team several times.

Answer: Harold "Mush" Marsh

He was on the 1934 Stanley Cup winning team and made an apperance at the Blackhawks 75th Anniversary Team in the United Center. Sadly he died several months later at the age of 93. He played his entire 17 year career for the Blackhawks.

Answer: Mike Keenan

Captain Hook was only coach of the Hawks for 4 seasons (1988 to 92), but it was the last time during the 1990s that the Hawks were among the final two teams fighting it out for the Cup. They were swept, giving Super Mario, and the Pittsburgh Penguins the first of two Stanley Cups.

Answer: Glenn Hall

Glenn Hall was also know for getting physically sick prior to each game. He joined the Blackhawks from Detroit in 1957 (he was 1955-56 NHL Rookie of the Year). In 1960-61, he led the Hawks to an unexpected win in the Stanley Cup finals. He played in 502 consecutive games during a time when goalies did not wear masks (he never missed a start for seven seasons, two with Detroit and five with Chicago).

Answer: Pat Foley

"He shoots, He scores!" Pat has one of the most distinctive and exciting voices in hockey. The 2002-03 season saw him reunited with long time partner Dale Tallon, who replaced Billy Gardner. Dale served in the front office, scouting talent in Europe durring a four year hiatus from broadcasting.

Answer: No

Kind of hard to believe, but Mr. Wirtz wants to protect his "season reservation holders". The Hawks where the only team (besides the Montreal Expos)in the 4 major professional sports who did not televise their home games, in this season.

Answer: Steve Larmer

Lamer's iron man streak ended at the start of the 1993 season. He went on to play for the NY Rangers and earned a Stanley Cup with his old coach Mike Keenan. Tony Amonte was the second holder of the NHL's Ironman streak to leave the Blackhawks in 10 years.

The Hawks chose not to resign the speedy winger, and he signed with Phoenix prior to the 2002 season. This is another example of a "heart and soul" type guy the Hawks did not want to keep.

Answer: 1972

One of the first in a long line of talented players who left Chicago in a bitter dispute over money. He went on to score over 300 regular season goals after his departure. His son, a future Hall of Famer, Brett, expressed desire to play for the Hawks, but was never tendered a serious offer as a free agent. An example of the selfish grudges Bill Wirtz holds, and how it is the fans who suffer.

The WHA existed from 1972-1979.

Answer: True

In the Hawks first season in the United Center, 1994, the Hawks averaged 20,818. The average game attendence has declined from there during the 1990s. In season 2001-02 the Hawks averaged 15,569 per game.

Answer: Craig Hartsburg

Sutter left the team to spend more time with his family in Alberta after the 1995 season. Hartford took over the team and coached them from 1995-1998.

Answer: Bobby Orr

Bobby played for 20 games in the 1976-77 season and 6 games in 78-79. His knees where shot by then. It was speuclated that Wirtz signed Orr away from Boston as revenge for getting snookered in the Esposito deal years earlier. Coffey was a worthless addition prior 1998-99 season, he moved on to two teams later. Housley was still playing for the Blackhawks at the start of the 2000ss and lead Hawks defensemen in scoring for the 2001-02 season.

Answer: Anders Ericksson

Ericksson was acquired and spent a forgetful season and a half with the Hawks, until he was traded for Spacek. Spacek spent about the same amount of time with the Hawks until traded for Lyle Odelein at the trade deadline last year. Ulfie was part of the package the Hawks acquired for Belfour, from the Sharks. Daze was a draft pick the Hawks acquired in the Hasek deal with Buffalo.

These are all great examples of the Hawks trading away marquee players for those who are not.

Answer: Denis Savard

Savoir Faire and his patented Spin-o-Rama move retired after the 1997 season. He was honored with his own night durring the 1998 season, and watched as his sweater was raised. He won one Stanley Cup in his career, and of course it was with a team other than the Blackhawks.

He was a member of the Patrick Roy lead Montreal Canadians of 1993. A fine example of a world class player who had to find glory away from the Hawks. Savard was traded for Chelios by Mike Keenan in 1990. Savard was then later reaquired from the Lightning for a 5 round draft choice in 1995.