Chicago’s love affair with its Blackhawks reached a level of affection unfathomable a just a few years ago when a crowd estimated at 2 million poured into downtown for Friday’s steamy victory salute to the Stanley Cup champions.
The temperature was in the mid-80s and the humidity was oppressive, but it hardly mattered. Sweating in their replica sweaters, Hawks fans old and new lined the route that brought the team’s double-decker tour buses from the United Center to the rally site at Michigan and Wacker, where hundreds of thousands filled Michigan Ave. for blocks. Other spectators jammed side streets hung out of high-rise windows along the parade route or sought a glimpse of the team from parking garages.
The Mayor’s Office of Special Events, which organized the ceremony in conjunction with the Blackhawks, estimated the total turnout at 2 million.
“This is unbelievable,” said Hawks captain Jonathan Toews, who had occupied the last seat on the last bus with the Stanley Cup in his lap, a vigilant sentry. “I didn’t know there were this many people in Chicago.”
The Hawks’ dramatic run to their first Stanley Cup title in 49 years appears to have turned the entire city into Hawks fans. The crowd chanted Rocky Wirtz’s name as the beaming chairman hoisted the Cup, happily surprised that a day like this could occur just 2 ½ years after he took over the beleaguered franchise from his late father.
Duncan Keith, the gritty defenseman, was toasted with a “Duncan Keith has no teeth” chant in honor of the seven teeth he lost after taking a puck to the mouth in the Western Conference Finals.
One Mokena father brought his 9-year-old son to the parade so that the boy could one day say he was there to see the Stanley Cup return to Chicago.
“The Blackhawks are my favorite Chicago team and so to me, this moment is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to Chicago sports,” said Evan Chandler. “There was no way I was going to let this moment pass and not bring my son here to see it. When the bus goes by I’m gonna throw him on my shoulders and we’ll scream our heads off together.”
Jim Cornelison’s trademark national anthem set a tone of game-like anticipation for the ceremony, which featured an updated montage of video highlights, including this year’s Cup run. Broadcaster and former Hawk Eddie Olczyk was the emcee. The speeches were refreshingly brief, probably out of respect to the weather. Each of the Hawks speakers made a point of thanking the fans for their support, and Patrick Kane vowed to keep his shirt on all summer and avoid belligerent cab drivers. Mayor Richard M. Daley managed to botch Joel Quenneville’s name—“Quelleville”—in citing the Hawks’ coach.
Another lowlight: A Kris Versteeg rap “song” that served pretty convincing notice that the team has been doing more celebrating than sleeping since clinching the Cup in Philadelphia on Wednesday night.
But they’re kids, enjoying a moment they’d worked for since they took up hockey and will cherish for the rest of their lives.
“This is over the top, just an unbelievable turnout,” Quenneville said. “It’s great to have the Stanley Cup in Chicago. Let’s see if we can keep it for a while.”
Idalmy Carrera contributed reporting
