Blackhawks hire new president, formalize leadership team originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Blackhawks have officially formalized their executive leadership team ahead of the 2020-21 NHL season.
The organization announced Wednesday that Danny Wirtz has been named the new CEO, Jaime Faulkner has been hired as the president of business operations and Stan Bowman has been promoted to president of hockey operations in addition to his duties as general manager.
“The sports world pivoted on its axis on March 11, the evening the Chicago Blackhawks played the San Jose Sharks at the United Center," Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz said in a statement. "We said then that the next home game at the United Center would not look anything like the last home game and the ensuing eight months have proven that out. The play stoppage provided us the ability to look into the windshield and recognize that whatever the future held, it would require an entire new look at how we play and host this great game. It was evident that it would require change. Since then, we have taken the steps and made those changes to put the pieces into place that will bring a new mindset and culture to the Chicago Blackhawks, that will lead us into the future.
“When Danny Wirtz agreed to serve as our Interim President last Spring, he set into motion a strategy, structure and plan that today, is one that all Blackhawks fans will be proud of. Today, I am both pleased and proud to name Danny to the role of Chief Executive Office of the Chicago Blackhawks. His accomplishments over the past eight months have set the stage for a bright future, beginning with a new vision and countless hours of planning to back it up. No easy task. The fans, and the Wirtz family alike, can be very excited about what lies ahead."
Faulkner has spent the last seven years as the CEO of E15, an analytics company for Compass Group. Her primary responsibilities will include "advancing the fan experience and business model while generating new revenue through her oversight of strategy and operations across corporate partnerships, ticketing and customer relations, and integrated marketing communications," according to the team's press release. She, along with Danny Wirtz, will also represent the Blackhawks as an alternate governor for NHL matters.
“I am excited for the opportunity take the iconic franchise of the Chicago Blackhawks — rich with a historic past and strong foundation in Chicago and beyond — to the next level and help write a new chapter for the Blackhawks and our fans," Faulkner said. "I appreciate the support of Rocky and Danny and look forward to furthering their vision. Partnering with Stan, we will craft a best-in-class product and experience on and off the ice of which our fans can be proud.”
