Danny Wirtz: Next In Line As Chicago Blackhawks Top Boss

Fourth generation of Wirtz Family ownership for Original Six NHL franchise following the sudden death of Rocky Wirtz last week at age 70.

Arthur. Bill. Rocky. Now it looks like it's Danny Wirtz's turn to become the primary owner of the Chicago Blackhawks.

It's been the Wirtz Family tradition. The eldest son takes over following the passing of a reigning patriarch. 

That means Danny Wirtz, 46, is in line to take charge of the Blackhawks following the sudden death of his father, W. Rockwell "Rocky" Wirtz at age 70 on July 25 following a short illness. Danny was named CEO of the team in December 2020 and increasingly visible as its day-to-day senior executive. 

As of last season, he was the ownership-level face and voice of the Blackhawks. Danny was on the stage in Nashville when the Blackhawks selected Connor Bedard first overall at the 2023 NHL Draft in June. 

The machinations of a family business, especially a prominent one reportedly worth billions, can be complicated and take unexpected turns. Valued at $1.5 billion by Forbes in 2022, the Blackhawks have produced a solid return on investment since real-estate mogul Arthur Wirtz, Danny's great grandfather, took control of the team for $1 million in 1954.

But Blackhawks are governed under a bigger private holding company, the Wirtz Corporation, founded by Arthur Wirtz in 1926. It claims to have more than 3,000 employees and annual revenues of more than $2 billion. If that's accurate, the Wirtz Corporation's overall value would be much higher. Visit: https://wirtzcorp.com/

The Wirtz Corporation has real estate, banking and other holdings. The top-listed entity on its website — with higher billing than the Blackhawks — is Breakthru Beverage Group, a mammoth distributor of alcoholic beverages across North America. Before Rocky's death, Danny Wirtz was Breakthru's vice chairman. Rocky had been the company's co-chairman.

Danny spoke to us one-on-one for 2023 The Hockey News Money & Power Edition in Fall 2022. (Order a copy...). At that time, he said running the Blackhawks was his “day job," while acknowledging being an active manager in other Wirtz Corporation enterprises.

“Some days it is more one than another,” said Danny, who lives in the city while Rocky made his home in Winnetka, Illinois on Chicago’ North Shore. “But I think that’s the nature of family businesses.”

Given the sudden transition in the Blackhawks ownership, we'll revisit that interview as we update this story. A lot couldn't fit in the Blackhawks section of the Money & Power edition. It will here. Stay tuned for more.

BTW: No funeral or memorial information for Rocky Wirtz has been announced by the Wirtz Family, Wirtz Corporation or the Blackhawks as of Sunday, July 30. We'll include it once that happen.