Fans say goodbye to Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz at memorial

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Hockey fans came to the United Center Wednesday morning to honor the legacy of the late Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz.

It was Rocky's father Bill Wirtz who owned the team when the United Center was built. However, those who spoke there Wednesday said it was Rocky who made the building come alive with three Stanley Cup championships.

The United Center was the place of some of his greatest joys. The venue was transformed into a place for those who loved and admired Wirtz to remember him at a public memorial Wednesday.

Speakers recalled how the Hawks were virtually irrelevant before Wirtz took over the team after his father's death in 2007. Wirtz is credited with saving the franchise, putting home games on local television and building a team that added three Stanley Cups under his ownership.

"Once Rocky took over and put it on television, I became a fan," Blackhawks fan Jamin McGinnis said.

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The championship banners on display at this memorial service are vindication for long-time fans.

"I would get laughed at," Blackhawks fan Bob Gushes said. "The worst team ever. Then Rocky took over and all the sudden my Blackhawks stuff was hard to find. The bandwagon was full."

While many of those closest to Wirtz attended a private memorial service Tuesday, the Blackhawks wanted to allow fans to pay their respects. Several thousand showed up Wednesday to offer their thanks.

"Is Rocky Wirtz the most popular owner in the history of Chicago Sports?" Blackhawks broadcaster Pat Foley said.

Former players recalled how Wirtz treated them with respect and how he fostered a family atmosphere for the team.

"They've meant everything to me," former Blackhawk Chris Chelios said.

Many of those remembering Wirtz talked about how he always made time for the fans. His son Danny, carrying on the legacy by greeting each of the fans, was also at the United Center Wednesday to say goodbye to his father.

David Sanetra has been a Blackhawks season ticket holder for 47 years.

"He resurrected it," Saneta said. "I mean it was hemorrhaging in red ink. They were having trouble meeting payroll that's how bad it got. Season ticket holders were down to like 2,500 and it was bad but he picked it up."

Wirtz passed away last month after a brief illness. At 70 years old, he is survived by his wife, four children and six grandchildren.

Charles Worth has been a season ticket holder for over 40 years. He said Wirtz changed the culture back to the way it should have been.

"He did a lot of things that the season ticket holders and Chicago fans wanted to see ," Worth said. "The games were put back on local TV that you could watch. He made some moves. He brought back Pat Foley to do the play-by-play."

Wirtz also oversaw the multimillion-dollar United Center campus expansion and development of fifth third arena on the West Side.

"I think it's a big event for me personally because if it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't be in hockey and I wouldn't care as much about the game," Blackhawks fan Hannah Arbitman said.

"He was a great guy, you know," fan Benny Gibson said. "I don't compare him and Bill Wirtz or the dad Arthur Wirtz. I don't compare them because they all had it going on."

The program began at 11 a.m. and was livestreamed on the Blackhawks website.

The Blackhawks said Wirtz will be remembered for his sharp wit, his enduring loyalty and humility.