The Chicago Blackhawks were born during one of the most exciting periods in professional hockey. In the mid-1920s, the National Hockey League was expanding beyond its Canadian roots and looking to establish franchises in major American cities. Chicago, already one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing cities, quickly became a top destination for the NHL’s expansion plans.
Learn more about the history of the NHL at https://www.nhl.com/.
The Founding of the Chicago Blackhawks
On May 15, 1926, the NHL awarded Chicago an expansion franchise. The original ownership group, led by former Harvard football star Bill “Tack” Hardwick, held the rights for only a short time before selling the team to Chicago businessman Major Frederic McLaughlin, a wealthy coffee executive and decorated World War I veteran. McLaughlin became the driving force behind the franchise and is widely recognized as the true founder of the Blackhawks.
Read more about the team’s origins at https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks.
Building a Team Overnight
Unlike expansion teams today, McLaughlin did not have an expansion draft or free agency through which to acquire players. Instead, he purchased the Portland Rosebuds after the Western Hockey League dissolved and relocated many of the players to Chicago.
This decision gave the new franchise an experienced roster that could compete immediately. The Blackhawks played their inaugural season in 1926-27 and reached the playoffs that first year, losing in the first round to the Boston Bruins. Captain Dick Irvin led the team with 36 points in the 44-game season, and his 18 assists were the most in the league.
For more on the franchise’s early history, visit https://www.hhof.com/.
Why the Team Is Called the Blackhawks
One of the most recognizable names in professional sports has military roots.
Major McLaughlin served in the U.S. Army during World War I with the 86th Infantry Division, also known as the Black Hawk Division. The division was named after Black Hawk, the respected Sauk leader whose legacy remains an important part of Illinois history.
To honor the military unit where he served, McLaughlin named Chicago’s new hockey team the Black Hawks. For the first 60 years of the franchise, the name was officially written as two separate words. In 1986, the organization adopted the single-word spelling, Blackhawks, after discovering that the original NHL franchise documents used that version.
Read more about Black Hawk and Illinois history here:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Black-Hawk-Native-American-leader
The First Home of Chicago Hockey
Before the legendary Chicago Stadium became home to generations of hockey memories, the Blackhawks played their first three seasons at the Chicago Coliseum on South Wabash Avenue.
The Coliseum introduced professional hockey to thousands of Chicago sports fans. Attendance quickly grew, and it became clear that the city needed a larger venue. In 1929, the Blackhawks moved into the newly-built Chicago Stadium, which would become one of the loudest and most famous arenas in professional sports. The stadium served as the team’s home until 1994 before the move to the United Center.
Learn more about Chicago Stadium:
https://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/144.html
Celebrating 100 Years of Chicago Stadium
As Chicago Stadium approaches its 100-year anniversary in 2029, hockey fans have another historic milestone to celebrate.
When the arena officially opened on March 28, 1929, it immediately became one of the most iconic venues in professional sports. Nicknamed “The Madhouse on Madison,” Chicago Stadium was famous for its roaring crowds, massive Barton organ, and unforgettable playoff atmosphere. For 65 seasons, it hosted Hall of Fame players, Stanley Cup championships, and some of the greatest moments in Blackhawks history.
Although the building was demolished in 1995 following the move to the United Center, Chicago Stadium remains one of the most beloved arenas in NHL history. Its upcoming centennial serves as a reminder of the role it played in shaping not only the Blackhawks but professional hockey itself.
Major Frederic McLaughlin’s Vision
McLaughlin was much more than the team’s owner. He was deeply involved in nearly every aspect of the organization. Even though he had never played hockey himself, he believed discipline, teamwork, and determination could build a championship franchise.
One of his boldest ideas was supporting American-born hockey players during an era when the NHL was dominated by Canadians. Many people doubted Americans could compete at the highest level, but McLaughlin invested heavily in developing homegrown talent. His commitment helped grow hockey across the United States and opened the door for future generations of American NHL stars.
Read more about Frederic McLaughlin:
https://www.nhl.com/news/blackhawks-first-owner-frederic-mclaughlin-set-for-ushhof-induction
A Championship Foundation
McLaughlin’s vision produced results quickly. Only eight years after the franchise was founded, the Blackhawks won their first Stanley Cup in 1934. They captured another championship in 1938, cementing Chicago’s reputation as one of hockey’s premier organizations.
The Wirtz Family Era
Although Major Frederic McLaughlin founded the franchise in 1926, ownership eventually passed to new investors following his death.
In 1946, a syndicate led by Bill Tobin purchased the controlling interest in the Black Hawks from the McLaughlin estate. The ownership group included members of both the Norris and Wirtz families.
During the early 1950s, Arthur Wirtz and the Norris family consolidated their ownership interests. By 1954, Arthur Wirtz and the Norris family effectively gained controlling ownership of the franchise after selling their Detroit interests and focusing on Chicago. Many Blackhawks historians recognize 1954 as the true beginning of Wirtz family ownership.
Following the death of James Norris in 1966, the Wirtz family became the sole controlling owners of the Blackhawks. Arthur Wirtz became chairman, while his son Bill Wirtz served as president of the organization.
Bill Wirtz later assumed full ownership of the franchise and remained owner until his passing in 2007. His son, Rocky Wirtz, transformed the organization by restoring television broadcasts of home games after years of local blackouts, reconnecting with fans, investing heavily in hockey operations, and modernizing nearly every aspect of the franchise.
That investment paid off in spectacular fashion. The Blackhawks captured three Stanley Cup championships in six seasons, winning titles in 2010, 2013, and 2015 behind a core that included Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Marian Hossa, and goaltender Corey Crawford.
Today, the franchise continues under the leadership of Danny Wirtz, representing the third generation of Wirtz family ownership. As the organization celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026 and looks ahead to the 100th anniversary of Chicago Stadium in 2029, the Wirtz family remains committed to honoring the club’s historic past while building toward its future.
Key Dates in Chicago Blackhawks History
- May 15, 1926 – The NHL awards Chicago an expansion franchise.
- 1926 – Major Frederic McLaughlin purchases the franchise and becomes its founding owner.
- 1926-27 – The Blackhawks play their inaugural NHL season and reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
- March 28, 1929 – Chicago Stadium officially opens and becomes the Blackhawks’ home.
- 1934 – Chicago wins its first Stanley Cup.
- 1938 – The Blackhawks capture their second Stanley Cup.
- 1946 – A syndicate led by Bill Tobin purchases the franchise from the McLaughlin estate. The ownership group includes both the Norris and Wirtz families.
- 1954 – Arthur Wirtz and the Norris family gain controlling ownership. Many historians recognize this as the beginning of Wirtz family ownership.
- 1966 – The Wirtz family becomes the sole controlling owners of the Blackhawks.
- 1986 – The official team name changes from Black Hawks to Blackhawks.
- 1994 – The Blackhawks move from Chicago Stadium to the United Center.
- 2007 – Rocky Wirtz becomes chairman following Bill Wirtz’s passing.
- 2010 – Stanley Cup Champions.
- 2013 – Stanley Cup Champions.
- 2015 – Stanley Cup Champions.
- 2026 – The Chicago Blackhawks celebrate their 100th anniversary.
- 2029 – Chicago Stadium celebrates its 100-year anniversary.
Ed Belfour’s Blackhawks Legacy
Over the decades, countless Hall of Fame players wore the Blackhawks sweater, but few became as beloved as Ed Belfour. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, while the franchise was under Wirtz family ownership, Belfour developed into one of the NHL’s greatest goaltenders. His incredible play, relentless work ethic, and fierce competitiveness made him one of the defining players in franchise history.
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For cocktail inspiration, don’t miss our guides:
History of Bourbon
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How to Smoke an Old Fashioned
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From Blackhawks History to Belfour Spirits
Today, Blackhawks fans continue to celebrate a tradition that began with one man’s vision in 1926. From Major Frederic McLaughlin’s determination to establish hockey in Chicago to the Wirtz family’s stewardship of one of the NHL’s most iconic franchises, the Blackhawks have built a legacy defined by excellence, resilience, and championship success.
As the organization celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026 and fans look ahead to the 100-year anniversary of Chicago Stadium in 2029, the franchise’s remarkable history continues to inspire generations of hockey fans.
That same commitment to excellence lives on through Belfour Spirits, where Hall of Fame goaltender Ed Belfour has applied the same dedication and attention to detail that made him a legend on the ice. Whether you’re raising a glass while watching the Blackhawks or simply enjoying an award-winning bourbon or rye whiskey, Belfour Spirits is a tribute to one of Chicago hockey’s all-time greats.
