In February 2004, a grim milestone was reached when ESPN named the Chicago Blackhawks the worst franchise in professional sports. The once-proud team had become a symbol of apathy and frustration for Chicagoans throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, some of it had to do with the teams stanley cup drought which was nearing 45 years. but much of it was due to the controversial policies of owner Bill Wirtz, known disparagingly as “Dollar Bill.” His decision to block local broadcasts of home games—claiming it was unfair to season ticket holders—alienated the fanbase. Coupled with steep ticket prices for a team who on their absolute best night might have been a solid product in the American hockey league the ticket prices were among the highest in the NHL at the time, it seemed Wirtz was driving a wedge between the team and its city.
Things were so embarrassing As the Blackhawks stumbled, they even had the nearby Chicago Wolves, an AHL team based in Rosemont, Illinois, mocking them with their biting marketing slogan: “We Play Hockey the Old-Fashioned Way: We Actually Win.” It was a painful jab at a team that once commanded respect but had now become a shadow of its former self.
In the wake of the 2004–05 NHL lockout, a glimmer of change appeared. New general manager Dale Tallon took the reins, determined to rebuild and restore the franchise to its former glory. The summer of 2005 brought hope, as Tallon made bold moves, signing Nikolai Khabibulin who was fresh off a stanley cup win and All-Star defenseman Adrian Aucoin. Yet, the optimism was short-lived. Injuries ravaged both key acquisitions, and the Blackhawks endured another dismal season, finishing with a 26–43–13 record—second-worst in the league and next-to-last in the Western Conference.
May 16, 2006, marked another blow when the beloved voice of the Blackhawks, Pat Foley, was let go after 25 years with the team, a decision that outraged fans. Foley’s departure to the Wolves only deepened the rift between the Blackhawks and their supporters.
Yet, amid the darkness, a faint flicker of hope began to emerge in 2006—a sign that perhaps the franchise’s long fall from grace could still be reversed….
#hockey #nhl #chicagoblackhawks #jonathantoews #toews
#blackhawks #hockeycanada
@Chicago Blackhawks
40 Comments
What’s even more exciting regarding Toews is the similarities we are seeing in Connor Bedard to Johnny’s personality. We have seen so much amazing talent in the NHL never win anything, but rarely is that kind of heart we see in those players there and that’s truly what wins championships.
god i miss my 2010s blackhawks so bad
That part on the Wolves brought back memories. That team is in a weird place now. They have a few die hards left over, but they are now an enemy in their own city due to the Hawks affiliate being their hatred rival in Rockford.
Toews, Keith and hjalmer became some of my hero's watching them and trying to replicate their skills on the pond made a bigger impact on my life than I ever realized
Thanks for this incredible video , next make patrick kane
Toews short handed goal to send it into overtime against Vancouver was legendary
After he left, right back to a garbage franchise
Oh Captain My Captain!
One of the most overrated players ever.
Damn you're older than me. I was only 6 when they won. Toews was my favorite player.
5:43 me too man, me too. The 2010s NHL is unmatched.
24:48 Thought that was hugging the post.
Captain my captain…. your fearful trip is done – I salute you
It's always so weird to me that massive markets like Chicago and Pittsburgh have trouble filling the stands when they don't have top level talent, despite all the cups they've won
My personal favorite player of all time, if it wasn't for Tazer I may not even be a hockey fan today.
A Keith and seabrook video would kill
His goal against Colorado made me renounce my hometown Flames red for Blackhawks red, I had the centre ice package and marvelled at that goal, no Flame did anything exciting like that, not even Iggy. That goal vs Van where he willed it coast to coast to send it in overtime in game 7, stayed with me all offseason. They had no business being in game 7 vs how good that Vancouver team was that year.
I agree with pretty much everything thats being said about him..but it helps having a guy nicknamed showtime playing with you, marian hossa who was a top 10 forward during his Chicago day's, brandon saad,duncan keith,corey Crawford, Patrick sharpe ect in their prime. Coupled with excellent role players. Point being he had a great team to lead along with great players and it came together beautifully his fingerprints were all over that team and with him leading the way it catipulted the blackhawks to greatness. 3 cups in 5 years and if not for the kings historic 14 playoff run and game 7 OT win in Chicago in conference finals it would've been 4..they also made conference finals in 09..really impressive run.
Music at the beginning?
fine i'll say it. toews was massively over rated and could barely stay on his feet in the nhl.
Special player. Special leader. Special winner.
My favorite player. Oh captain my captain 🫡
11:40 I swear he says "we did a f*** great job" 😂
My man, great video. Much like you I attribute my love of hockey to Tazer, wanted to play like him, emulate his style, and be a leader. Undoubtedly my favorite player on the Hawks. He, along with all the other greats in the 2010s made my childhood a dream.
Thank you for making this. What a privilege those years were.
Hey bud, I have a request. Can you make a Pavel Datsyuk piece? That's if you haven't already. Thanks, bud! Keep em coming!
Wonderful video. He was the best captain the hawks have ever seen and his mark on the franchise will never be forgotten.
Toews in that Ducks series will always hold him at the highest regard
Showtime was chopped liver
I am and grew up a Canucks fan and he still is one of my favourite players of all time
I’ve seen Toews comps for Celebrini, and as a Sharks fan I hope he can have a similar career. Toews was always fun to watch.
Man I miss this era but it was a privilege to witness!
Being a contemporary of Crosby is tough, wasn't for Crosby Toews would be held in much higher regard I think.
Crosby is just Toews but better at everything.
I will never be a bigger fan of a player than I am 19. Growing up watching this team so so special.
Great work man. Anyone else’s house super dusty right now?
Toews is a classic example of just how dominant a player can be without being a 100 point scorer. His importance to the Blackhawks and to those 3 Stanley cups cannot be measured in just offensive output. His ability on the Faceoff, his steller defensive game, his leadership on the ice and in the locker room, all those little things that make a true champion. I truly hope he gets a job in the Blackhawks front office. I don't want his time with the Blackhawks to be done. Chicago needs Jonathan Toews.
Man had he not had those health complications he would’ve been even greater
We love him in Winnipeg. He was a fantastic hockey player!
He’s that dude. Keys to the city were in his pocket for about 7 years
This video is beautiful… I hope someone from the hawks org can explain his crazy decline because i dont believe "long" covid.. and if so… its just so disappointing. As a fan if you asked me who was the last cup player on the team I woulda sworn toews/kane, not a teuvo free agency singing lol