Rocky Wirtz’s standing with Chicago Blackhawks takes a big hit

On Wednesday night, Rocky Wirtz and the Chicago Blackhawks held a Town Hall for the media to ask questions to upper management regarding the state of the organization.

Tenured Chicagoan and Athletic Writer Mark Lazerus asked Danny Wirtz a question pertaining to the Kyle Beach investigation. He later posted the exchange’s transcription on Twitter.

Lazerus lead into his question by noting that the “power imbalance between coach and player and the powerlessness of the player” played a significant role in the situation. He also asked about future misconduct and how the Blackhawks will “empower a player in a similar situation”.

Rocky Wirtz promptly cut off Danny and did not provide him the ability to answer the question. Instead, he seemed enraged that Lazerus had asked a question about the single biggest and most important looming event that has happened within the organization in the past 15 years.

The comments made by Rocky Wirtz are not a good look for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Rocky jumping in and answering for Danny seems a little fishy. It almost feels as if the Hawks are hiding something major regarding the investigation and Rocky was afraid Danny would mention something the Blackhawks didn’t want to be publicized.

Danny began to answer the question but was promptly and abruptly cut off by his father. As if the situation wasn’t already in a horrible place, Rocky drove it farther into the dark and made a complete fool of himself whilst doing so.

The Blackhawks have become a joke in the NHL. What happened in 2010 as well as what the Hawks are doing actively overshadows any and all positives on the ice which is truly one of the great shames.

Wirtz should have answered the question because it would have improved the Hawks standing with fans and showed that they are actively attempting to thwart a possible sexual misconduct case. 2010 won’t be erased but they can try and move forward having learned from it.

In wake of what happened amidst Wednesday’s events, Wirtz’s fit in the Hawks front office has come into question. As time progresses, a close watch on his role within the organization could play a key role in future affairs with the NHL and the Blackhawks organization.