CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks fired president and CEO John McDonough on Monday.
McDonough, who is being replaced by Danny Wirtz, was named Blackhawks president in 2007 after 24 years with the Chicago Cubs. McDonagh was Blackhawks CEO since 2011.
Chicago won the Stanley Cup three times (2010, 2013, 2015) while McDonough was there and sold out a Blackhawks-record 531 consecutive home games before the NHL season was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
"Thirteen years ago, I recruited John to the Blackhawks because of his leadership, direction and vision," Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz said in a statement. "John brought all of that to the table and more. His contributions went well beyond leading the team to three Stanley Cup championships. He rebuilt the front office and helped guide the organization toward a winning vision.
"As difficult as this is, we believe it was the right decision for the future of the organization and its fans."
McDonough, in a statement released Tuesday, said he had nothing but thanks for Wirtz and the Blackhawks.
"It was the ride of a lifetime. I would like to thank Rocky, the Wirtz family, our staff, the players, the ambassadors and the fans for all they have done for the organization," McDonough said. "I will be forever grateful to them and proud of what we accomplished together. Blackhawks fans are so incredibly passionate and loyal and are deserving of a consistent winner.
"My late father used a phrase sparingly but impactfully to describe those he found to be the most dignified, respectful and worthy of admiration. He would say they had 'class à la mode.' That perfectly describes the Wirtz family and the Chicago Blackhawks."
Wirtz said the coronavirus pandemic and NHL pause provided an opportunity to reassess the Blackhawks' future and direction. Chicago (32-30-8) trails the Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks by six points for the second wild card in the Western Conference and would miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a third straight season after making it nine straight seasons.
"While we can reassure our fans there will be hockey again, no one knows what that will look like," Wirtz said. "What we do know is that it will take a new mindset to successfully transition the organization to win both on and off the ice."
Danny Wirtz, Rocky's son, has been working for the Blackhawks as a vice president and alternate governor.
"I cannot adequately express my family's appreciation to John for his contributions to the turnaround of the Chicago Blackhawks organization," Danny said. "I take this interim role with the utmost responsibility to the team and will focus on resetting the framework for the next generation of the Chicago Blackhawks. I look forward to working with Rocky to identify our next leader."
