Chicago Blackhawks fire CEO John McDonough

The Chicago Blackhawks have fired John McDonough, the team president and CEO that helped lead them to three Stanley Cups, signaling the team is ready to head in a new direction.

The Chicago Blackhawks dynasty ended a few years ago, but a new era is on the horizon.

The Blackhawks organization announced on Monday that they have fired long time team president and CEO, John McDonough, after 13 years with the organization. Since hiring McDonough in 2007, the Chicago Blackhawks ended their 49 year Stanley Cup drought in 2010 and began a modern NHL dynasty with two more Stanley cup victories in 2013 and 2015. He also helped save the Blackhawks from TV blackouts, poor attendance, and turned the franchise into one of NHL’s premier organizations.

However since the last Stanley Cup victory in 2015, the Blackhawks were unable to make it out of the first round in the two following seasons, capped off by getting swept by the underdog Nashville Predators in embarrassing fashion. The Blackhawks would crater and miss the playoffs the next two seasons, and were well on their way to a third consecutive miss before the pause.

Chicago Blackhawks Chairman, Rockwell Wirtz, cited the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and the league’s suspension of play as an “opportunity to reassess the team’s future and set a renewed positive direction for the organization.”

“Thirteen years ago, I recruited John to the Blackhawks because of his leadership, direction and vision. 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,” said Wirtz in a statement released by the Blackhawks. “As difficult as this is, we believe it was the right decision for the future of the organization and its fans,” Wirtz added.

Danny Wirtz, Rockwell’s 43 year old son and Blackhawks vice president, is replacing McDonough as interim president while a search for a new team president is conducted.

Could the firing of McDonough be the beginning of the Blackhawks cleaning out their front office staff? Could long time GM Stan Bowman be the next out the door? McDonough was supportive of Bowman despite three seasons of underwhelming performances and questionable moves, and ownership may no longer have the same patience.