Go Hawks Go

Original Six franchise with six Stanley Cup championships.

The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The Blackhawks have won six Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926. They are one of the "Original Six" NHL teams, along with the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers. Since the 1994–95 season, the team has played its home games at the United Center, which they share with the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls; both teams previously played at the now-demolished Chicago Stadium.

Quick Facts

Affiliation: Chicago Blackhawks
Primary venues: Chicago Stadium, United Center
Status: Active Tradition

Lore & Background

The Blackhawks' original owner was Frederic McLaughlin, a "hands-on" owner who fired many coaches during his ownership and led the team to win two Stanley Cup titles in 1934 and 1938. After McLaughlin's death in 1944, the team came under the ownership of the Norris family, who acted as their landlord as owners of the Chicago Stadium, and also owned stakes in several of the NHL teams. At first, the Norris ownership was as part of a syndicate fronted by longtime executive Bill Tobin, and the team languished in favor of the Norris-owned Detroit Red Wings. After the senior James E. Norris died in 1952, the Norris assets were spread among family members, and James D. Norris became the owner of the Blackhawks. The younger Norris took an active interest in the team, which won another Stanley Cup title under his ownership in 1961. After James D. Norris died in 1966, the Wirtz family became owners of the franchise. In 2007, the team came under the control of Rocky Wirtz, who is credited with turning around the organization, which had lost fan interest and competitiveness; under Wirtz, the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup three times, in 2010, 2013 and 2015. Rocky died in July 2023, and his son, Danny Wirtz, was named chairman of the Blackhawks.

Reader's Guide

The team was founded on May 15, 1926, when the NHL owners awarded an expansion franchise for Chicago to a syndicate headed by former football star Huntington Hardwick of Boston. Hardwick arranged the purchase of the players of the Portland Rosebuds of the Western Hockey League for $100,000, but only a month later his group sold out to Chicago coffee tycoon Frederic McLaughlin. McLaughlin had been a commander with the 333rd Machine Gun Battalion of the 86th Infantry Division during World War I. This division was nicknamed the "Black Hawk Division" after Black Hawk, a Native American of the Sauk nation. McLaughlin named the new hockey team in honor of the military unit. The team's name was spelled in two words as "Black Hawks" until 1986, when the club officially became the "Blackhawks", based on the spelling found in the original franchise documents. The Black Hawks began play in the 1926–27 season. Their first game was on November 17, 1926, against the Toronto St. Patricks at the Chicago Coliseum, winning 4–1. The team's home arenas included the Chicago Coliseum (1926–1929) and Chicago Stadium (from 1929–30 onward).

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do fans typically shout this chant?

The phrase echoes through both historic venues where the team has played, including the demolished Chicago Stadium and the current United Center. It is most commonly heard during player introductions or after a goal is scored.

How long has this tradition been active?

This vocal tradition spans nearly a century of hockey history, bridging the gap from the Original Six era to modern times. It remains an active part of game day culture since the team's founding in 1926.

Who originally started using this phrase?

While specific origins vary, the chant became entrenched during the early years under owner Frederic McLaughlin and has persisted through decades of ownership changes. It represents a continuous link between past and present supporters of the team.

Does the chant still happen today?

Yes, the chant remains an active tradition heard loud during Stanley Cup victories and regular season games at the United Center. It continues to function as the heartbeat of the fanbase across generations.