NEWS: Chicago, Hockey Community Reacts to Passing of Rocky Wirtz

As the Blackhawks organization mourns the loss of Chairman Rocky Wirtz, condolences have poured in from across Chicago and the hockey world:

NHL COMMISSIONER GARY BETTMAN

"The National Hockey League family is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of W. Rockwell 'Rocky' Wirtz.

"Devoted to family and the Chicago Blackhawks, Rocky was a native son of Chicago and an accomplished businessman. Rocky took over control of the Blackhawks in 2007 and almost immediately restored the passion and following of this storied, Original Six franchise.

"Rocky's focus on connecting with the Club's fans and improving the team's performance on the ice rekindled Chicago fans' love affair with their hockey team and built a modern dynasty - the Blackhawks won Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

"On a personal level, Rocky was a dear friend whose counsel I consistently sought. He was a highly respected member of the Executive Committee of the League's Board of Governors whose wisdom and camaraderie were valued by his fellow owners.

"The NHL sends its sincere condolences to Rocky's wife, Marilyn; his children, Danny, Kendall and Hillary; Marilyn's daughter, Elizabeth; and their six grandchildren. He will be missed terribly."

CHICAGO BULLS, WHITE SOX CHAIRMAN JERRY REINSDORF

"This is just shocking news, and I am personally devastated. Rocky truly was a great man. We were far more than partners at the United Center. We were very close; he was a dear friend and our trust, our bond, was unbreakable. We never had a disagreement or argument during all of our many years together.

"Everyone liked Rocky. He was smart, passionate, generous, personable and friendly. He cared deeply about the Blackhawks, the people who worked for the team and at the United Center, Blackhawks fans and the city of Chicago. He was so very proud of the Stanley Cup Championships and what those trophies meant to the organization, the city and the fans.

"He was deservedly proud, as well, when it came to his countless civic and charitable endeavors and the positive impact they made on so many. This is a loss for us all. My condolences go out to Marilyn, his children and grandchildren, and the entire Wirtz family.

"His passing came far too soon as he had so very much to live for."

CHICAGO BULLS PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MICHAEL REINSDORF

"The city of Chicago has lost an iconic figure today, but to me, the loss is beyond business or sports. It is the loss of a family member. Rocky was someone who from a young age, I looked up to and was a constant presence in my life. From his daughter Hillary teaching my and Nancy's kids, to our daughter Jenny marrying his nephew Will, this is a family loss.

"His unwavering commitment to the Blackhawks, the United Center, Chicago sports and the community will be his legacy to the city and millions of Blackhawk fans. We are heartbroken for his kids, Danny, Hillary, Kendall and Elizabeth, his wife Marilyn, and his entire family. We cherish the memories we have shared with Rocky and will forever remember him as a great friend and a true family member."

CHICAGO BEARS CHAIRMAN GEORGE H. MCCASKEY

CHICAGO CUBS EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN TOM RICKETTS

CHICAGO FIRE FC

CHICAGO RED STARS

ROCKFORD ICEHOGS

"We are saddened to learn of the passing of Rocky Wirtz. He valued the importance of growing the game and what the development system meant for the future of the Blackhawks. Rockford and the IceHogs organization will forever be thankful for the legacy he left here with us. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wirtz family."

CHICAGO WOLVES

"The Chicago Wolves would like to extend sincere condolences to the Wirtz family and the Blackhawks organization on the passing of Rocky Wirtz.

"Hockey and Chicago lost a true champion," Wolves owner Don Levin said. "He came into a situation that was dismal and he turned the Blackhawks around quick and he put together a team that won championship after championship after championship. That's hard to do. I don't know if he ever received the accolades he deserved. He was the hockey guy in Chicago, for sure."

CHICAGO STEEL

"The Chicago hockey family mourns the passing of Rocky Wirtz and sends its condolences to the Blackhawks and the Wirtz family."

FORMER BLACKHAWK PATRICK KANE

FORMER BLACKHAWK JONATHAN TOEWS

"Being a Blackhawk all these years has been special because you felt you were part of a family. Not only with the players and the organization, but with the fans and the greater Chicago community. Rocky Wirtz led this example every day. I knew Rocky to be a humble, caring person. He showed how to be an incredible business man that brought the emotion and excitement of 3 championships to Chicago, while maintaining the most genuine and sincere relationships with all those who worked for him. I owe so much to him and his family for making all of my dreams of being a professional hockey player come true. I am shocked and saddened to hear this news. My sympathy and heartfelt condolences to his wife Marilyn, his son Danny, and to the rest of the Wirtz family."

ILLINOIS GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER

CHICAGO MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON

FORMER CHICAGO MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT

PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF NBC CHICAGO KEVIN CROSS

"Our entire network is deeply saddened by the loss of Mr. Wirtz. When Rocky took over the Blackhawks after his father Bill passed away in 2007, Rocky had a vision of not only bringing multiple Stanley Cup Championships to the City of Chicago, but to also bring the sport of hockey to the forefront of popular culture in our city. He was successful on both fronts.

In addition, Rocky was able to bring home game telecasts into the homes of hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans, which only helped catapult the team to greater heights of awareness and fanbase growth. On behalf of everyone at NBCUniversal Local Chicago, we send out our deepest sympathies to the Wirtz family."

BUFFALO SABRES

DETROIT RED WINGS GOVERNOR AND CEO CHRISTOPHER ILITCH

LA KINGS

MINNESOTA WILD

"The Minnesota Wild organization offers our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Rocky Wirtz as well as the entire Chicago Blackhawks family. Rocky made a tremendous impact on our great game and will be dearly missed by a grateful hockey community."

MONTREAL CANADIENS

"The Montreal Canadiens wish to express our sincere condolences to the Wirtz family and the entire Blackhawks organization. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

Les Canadiens transmettent leurs condoléances à la famille Wirtz et à l'organisation des Blackhawks."

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

"Our deepest condolences go out to the Wirtz family and friends after the passing of Chicago Blackhawks Chairman W. Rockwell "Rocky" Wirtz."

ST. LOUIS BLUES CHAIRMAN TOM STILLMAN

"On behalf of the St. Louis Blues organization, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Wirtz family on the sudden passing of Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz. Rocky was a tremendous steward of the Blackhawks and a prominent and respected voice in our sport. Our thoughts are with the entire Wirtz family during this difficult time."

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

"We extend our deepest condolences to the Wirtz family and the entire Chicago Blackhawks organization during this difficult time."

VANCOUVER CANUCKS