Blackhawks' GM Tallon Sees Brighter Times Ahead

This is a new era for the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Original Six hockey team has had a change at the top following the passing last month of long-time owner William Wirtz. His son Rocky will be taking over the helm.

The team, which hasn't won the Stanley Cup since 1961 making it the longest current drought in the league, appears to be on an upswing. They've won three of their first five games this season, including dramatic wins over Detroit and Dallas last weekend.

Top overall draft pick Patrick Kane sees only good times ahead for the squad, which stunned the crowd at the United Center last Saturday by scoring with a second and half left in regulation before winning in overtime against Dallas.

"It's been amazing for me so far,'' the 18-year-old Kane said. "Every day is something new and exciting here in Chicago for me."

General Manager Dale Tallon, a former Blackhawks player, hopes that kind of enthusiasm translates into larger crowds at the vast 13-year-old United Center which seats 20,500 people for a hockey game. (Only 11,868 were at last Saturday night's game).

"We have a wonderful mix of young and older players, we certainly hope
the fans will come back,'' Tallon told me. ``The players are doing all the right things, putting in the effort. We have to earn our way back."

Chicago's United Center - AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

"We play an entertaining brand of hockey, which hopefully will get more and more people coming down to see us,'' Tallon adds. "We should be filling the place before long."

The best part of a hockey game in Chicago is the live organ music and the booming fog horn, reminiscent of the Hawks' former home, the old Chicago Stadium.

"I've heard about that place,'' adds Kane. "Sounds like it was amazing. We're trying to build new memories and make our place even louder."