I attended the Blackhawks' holiday event for their season-ticket holders on Tuesday at Navy Pier to talk to Adam Burish. The Hawks winger does a blog for suntimes.com.
I also spoke to some people in the Blackhawks community relations department that night, and hardly a day goes by when I'm not in some type of communication with members of the Hawks PR staff.
The Hawks have taken some good-natured ribbing -- including from me -- since John McDonough took over as president for conducting more news conferences than any other team in sports. That strategy, by the way, has worked as the Hawks reinvented themselves from irrelevant to having one of the largest fan bases in the NHL.
Still, despite that aggressive PR machine, I didn't hear about one of the more inspirational sports stories of the year until I read Deadspin on Wednesday.
Turns out that after their Nov. 22 come-from-behind overtime win in Toronto, the team took a vote. The Hawks were scheduled to fly home that night for a three-day break during a rugged road trip. It was going to be their only chance to spend quality time with their families for Thanksgiving.
Instead, the team voted unanimously to cancel the charter and take the team buses two hours north to Gravenhurst, Ontario the following morning for the wake of Dale Tallon's father.
Tallon, the Hawks GM, wasn't expecting the gesture.
"He was emotionally surprised," Hawks media relations coordinator Adam Rogowin said. "He spoke to the team after everyone paid their respects, and his voice cracked a few times."
The team then headed back to Toronto, stopping on the way at a McDonald's. Not surprisingly, pictures of Hawks rising stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews were on the walls and included in sets of hockey cards in "Happy Meals."
It's not difficult to envision how the players brightened up a night not only for Tallon, but for the people of Gravenhurst.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of director of team services Tony Ommen, who had to arrange for hotel rooms for the extra night, the Hawks finally got home around midnight.
And to the surprise - I'm sure - of more than a few media types, the PR machine wasn't on the phone the next day to tell us how great they were for making the gesture.
But luckily, the story got out. We print enough articles when athletes go astray, so it's nice to give some ink to one that puts athletes in a different light.
I'm not surprised those athletes are hockey players. And I'm not surprised they're Blackhawks.
Good Stuff Roman! The stories our out there, but players in all sports have to keep a low profile or they will be seen as using the people for fake publicity. But if there is something bad to report, its in the press before CSI can get on the scene. Good for the Hawks!
Note to Cub fans - see what can happen when you STOP going to games. Money talks.....
Roman responds: Keith, thanks, but the Cubs have won the last two Division titles with one of the biggest payrolls in MLB. They're trying.
maybe the only chicago team worth spending the three hours on TV for
Roman, this was a fantastic piece. I really enjoyed reading it, and I think it speaks to how high class hockey players are, and I think this also explains part of the reason they aren't recognized by the mainstream media very often unless (like Sean Avery) they do something terrible.
The ESPN's of the world don't like class act athletes. They like guys like T.O, Plax, and Sean Avery who stir up controversy and make people hate them. They have no room for the good guys in sports, and I think the NHL fits into that category very snugly.
Thank you for bringing this story to the public's attention, and I hope you continue the good work!
A tip of the cap to our rivals in the Central. Classy act guys.
Andy
Nashville
Pure heart. This is one special group of guys! Go Hawks!
A truly class act by the Blackhawk player's, we are so lucky to have this team represent Chicago, hockey player's are the only athletes who will interact with the fans and not ignore them like most of the other sports teams do. I think James hit the nail on the head about ESPN reporting mostly negative news, there is no way they would report this story. Thanks Roman.
I grew up following hockey. Every time I tell people I am a hockey fan, they always bring up that the players are goons. What the Hawks did for one of their own, shows that they are compassionate players. Awesome example of being a team and supoort for each other. None of the individuality you see in other national sports.
Thank you for writing this story. My fellow Blackhawks fans and I know how great these guys are so its nice that others can hear about it too. I have had many opportunities to talk to other Blackhawk fans and the one thing that I have heard over and over again is how great these guys are to their fans. I myself have had great experiences meeting Patrick Sharp, Adam Burish, James Wisneiewski, Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith. They are all perfect examples of players who truly value their fans. Its not surprising that they did what they did for Dale Tallon. All of these guys are true gentlemen and real class acts. Its a nice change from the athletes that are in jail for dog fighting or getting arrested for drug possission.
Roman,
Great Story!
I am a Oilers Fan from Edmonton. After the way the 'Hawks took it to the Oil this week, you would think I would hate hearing about them. But no way, this is a class act by an up-and-coming team. I took in a game in Chicago last year and was impressed by the team and its fans. I agree with the above comments, more "good news" stories like this should hit the media. Sports stories should inspire people (young and old) not just shock and amaze.
Great job 'Hawks.