The Blackhawks fired president and CEO John McDonough on Monday.
McDonough, who is being replaced on an interim basis by Daniel Wirtz, was named the Blackhawks president in 2007 after 24 years with the Chicago Cubs. He was the Blackhawks CEO since 2011.
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Blackhawks fire team president/CEO John McDonough after 13 seasons
Hawks fans hearing the McDonough firing! #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/LZOUFNtcOj
— Dan Insinga (@DanInsinga) April 27, 2020
While it’s very surprising that McDonough is gone, it’s utterly shocking that he didn’t leave on his own terms.
That Rocky Wirtz felt he had to unceremoniously dump the man who gets credit for turning the franchise around.
— Jimmy Greenfield (@jcgreenx) April 27, 2020
It’s interesting & possibly revealing that the Hawks used the term: “released” when it comes to McDonough. Usually someone that accomplished gets a gold watch, ceremony & the right to “retire.” Feels like there’s more here. Looking forward to the reporting on it.
— Laurence Holmes (@LaurenceWHolmes) April 27, 2020
I’m not lighting any candles for McD, but I’m confused as to why the team president gets fired when he’s been forced to sell an on-ice product that hasn’t been good.
Unless he’s responsible for said on-ice product. And then they have larger issues.
— Dave Melton (@_DaveMelton) April 27, 2020
My instant reaction to the news of John McDonough’s firing is, of all the things that are going wrong with the Blackhawks right now, is the marketing and business side the biggest problem?
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) April 27, 2020
between cutler and mcdonough, big day for divorces involving chicago sports figures a lot of fans were tired of
— katie dzwierzynski (@kdzwierzynski) April 27, 2020
Stunning news. One of the best sports executives in Chicago history ousted at the most unusual time, in a most unexpected and unceremonious way. McDonough changed the Hawks culture forever. Now, the Hawks’ one goal will be to replace their top executive. https://t.co/oe3bGwFcml
— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) April 27, 2020
Initial thoughts on the Blackhawks firing John McDonough …
– Bowman is done.
– The team will get worse before it gets better.
– Kane and Toews are not untouchable. As it should be during a full rebuild.
– McDonough deserves a standing O for what he did for the franchise.— Jimmy Greenfield (@jcgreenx) April 27, 2020
– If Joel Quenneville and John McDonough can be fired, how do Stan Bowman and Jeremy Colliton survive?
– Why now?— Brian Sandalow (@BrianSandalow) April 27, 2020
There is no way this is the only move. Either Stan gets moved up or the new hockey guy is going to want to bring in his own people. If Stan was getting McD’s get, you’d think they would have just announced that too. #blackhawks
— Greg Boysen 🏒🐷🐺❄️ (@GregBoysen) April 27, 2020
Whelp, the #Blackhawks get the HOLY SHIT IT’S ALL HAPPENING trophy today…
— Tab Bamford (@The1Tab) April 27, 2020
Typical #Blackhawks…
wait until the military acknowledges aliens to slip in the whole “firing McD” press release
— Tab Bamford (@The1Tab) April 27, 2020
A former #Blackhawks person told me this great story about McDonough. When this person interviewed with McDonough for their job, the first thing McDonough said was something like “Yes, I am that difficult work for.” Demanded excellence all the time. #Blackhawks
— Jay Cohen (@jcohenap) April 27, 2020
Have to wait and see. I mean, if Stan gets promoted and they hire a GM to work for him, no other way to see it than a power grab by Stan and, possibly, Scotty.
If Stan also gets whacked, it’s a housecleaning. Either way, it’s crazy.
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) April 27, 2020
As an ardent #Blackhawks fan, thank you and cheers, John McDonough. His leadership and people skills were hugely important ingredients to the Hawks’ three Cups.
— Dan McNeil (@DannyMac670) April 27, 2020
Hard to believe Rocky Wirtz is canning the guy who gave him credibility. They’re going to miss John McDonough. I don’t get this. https://t.co/JC3HvsNEog
— Phil Rogers (@philgrogers) April 27, 2020
Cannot understate what he did for the #Blackhawks organization from a business perspective. In a few years, they went from empty stadiums to model #NHL franchise. Change is coming to the West Side. https://t.co/RoNtuX1AcT
— Slavko Bekovic (@SBekovic) April 27, 2020