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Chicago Blackhawks Owner Rocky Wirtz Dismisses Journalists

Rocky Wirtz

Rocky Wirtz clashed with journalists at a recent press event for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Mark Lazerus, a senior writer with The Athletic asked a panel representing the Blackhawks asked what the organization will do to empower players to ensure abuse, like that endured by Kyle Beach is not repeated. In response to his question, Wirtz, the principal owner of the Blackhawks, showed his frustration with the question.

“We’re not looking back to 2010, we’re looking forward, we’re not going to talk about 2010,” Wirtz stated.

“We’re not going to talk about what happened.”

When another member of the Blackhawks organization attempted to answer Lazerus’ question, Wirtz interjected and yelled, “That’s none of your business, it’s none of your business, what we’re going to do today is our business.”

Wirtz continued to admonish Lazerus saying, “I think you should get on to the next topic. We’re not going to talk about Kyle Beach. We’re not going to talk about anything that happened.”

Wirtz also refused to answer Chicago Tribune reporter Phil Thompson’s questions on the subject.

Rocky Wirtz acquired control of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2007 following the death of his father, Bill Wirtz. He is the third generation to own Chicago’s NHL franchise. Wirtz’s grandfather Arthur Wirtz originally purchased the team in 1950.

Sexual Abuse Within The Chicago Organization

Three seasons into his ownership of the team, then Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich sexually abused prospect Kyle Beach. Members of team’s front office were found to have covered up the abuse according to a report from law firm Jenner & Block. Aldrich went on to abuse at least one other teenage hockey player as a high school hockey coach in Michigan. When the report was released in 2021, the Blackhawks fired any remaining staff from the 2010 season who may have been privy to Beach’s story, including general manager Stan Bowman.

Wirtz’s actions go against the team’s statement following a settlement with Kyle Beach.

“As for the Blackhawks organization, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure that, going forward, this team will be a beacon for professionalism, respect and integrity in our community,” the Blackhawks’ statement read. “We remain grateful for the trust and support of the Blackhawks community, and we promise to continue working every day to earn and maintain that trust.”

The Chicago Blackhawks currently sit second-last in the NHL’s Central Division with a 16-22-7 record.

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Embed from Getty Images

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