Sport-scan daily brief

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville toted the President’s Trophy up to the stage and told the crowd, ‘‘We’re all very fortunate to play in a place as special as Chicago.’’

Toews spoke last — his voice hoarse from the weeklong party — but kept it short and sweet, simply thanking the fans for outdoing themselves since 2010.

‘‘Tough to follow that speech by Corey Crawford,’’ he said.

Television analyst Eddie Olczyk drew a big cheer when he said the Hawks were now ‘‘at the top of the sports totem pole here in Chicago.’’ The Bears might have something to say about that, but after two massive championship celebrations in four seasons, the Hawks — a glorified minor-league team in the eyes of the city for so many years before the 2010 reawakening — have been making quite a case.

‘‘In 2010, you guys waited 49 years to do this,’’ Patrick Sharp told the crowd. ‘‘This year, we waited three. What do you say we get back here and do it again next year?’’

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 06.30.2013

682972 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks’ one goal: a city united

By Bob Verdi

June 28, 2013, shall be remembered in Chicago annals as a day when the city that works, didn't. Hundreds of thousands and thousands of hundreds flocked downtown to create yet another standing-room-only crowd for the Blackhawks, Stanley Cup champions again.

Admirers of the best team in hockey packed sidewalks along streets on the extended parade route, took pictures from residences, peered from offices where absolutely nothing was being accomplished, and gathered in Hutchinson Park, the final staging area of this remarkable celebration.

Once upon a time, 16,666 represented not only capacity for the Stadium on game nights; it was the ceiling number, hypothesized by skeptics, of Blackhawks supporters in the entire region. Friday's mass of smiling humanity seemed closer to or even beyond the 2 million estimate for 2010's coronation. In any case, a guardian of the Cup volunteered that this ceremony made other galas during his experience seem like focus groups.

With four choppers above, double decker bus No. 24 was the last of the caravan to depart the United Center. It carried Patrick Kane, Brandon Saad and Corey Crawford, the goalie who was the backbone for two months of grueling playoffs. No sooner had his vehicle turned onto Adams Street when he heard the chants.

COR-EY!! COR-EY!! COR-EY!!"

Crawford's shades were on, and the mask was off, affording a view of his pale face and discernible grin. After Monday night's clincher in Boston, management and labor rejoiced until everybody looked like they'd been through a car wash. For Friday, they cleaned up nicely, beards mostly sheared, players in shorts. But sunscreen was required, because 23-plus high-octane postseason assignments leaves no time for the beach.

"How hard these guys work," marveled Trevor, Crawford's dad, who sat with wife Sylvia, family and friends in from Canada. No individual on this winning roster worked harder than Corey, but now he loosened up, waving to the multitudes, pumping them up with the stick hand, then the glove hand. Red lights were ubiquitous, but Corey paid them no mind. He won't have to stop another puck until September. Besides, this cavalcade had a police escort.

An impromptu band gathered near the Loop, pounding out "Chelsea Dagger." Kane leaned out to cup his ears for screams of "MVP! MVP!" Sirens and horns formed a steady soundtrack, accompanied by whistles from CTA trains. I saw a man, he danced with his wife, and I am not making this up — at least, I think it was his wife. Joel Quenneville, the most interesting coach in the world, was on the bus just ahead. He emoted with hand gestures, but not as if to question a referee. And he couldn't change lines. His guys are on their own for a summer vacation well deserved.

At Hutchinson Park, an updated video on the giant screen featured Bryan Bickell and Dave Bolland: "We stand for two goals in 17 seconds." On the stage, Bickell stood with a knee brace. Jim Cornelison sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" as only he can. Chairman Rocky Wirtz and President/CEO John McDonough, first responders to perform CPR in 2007 on a sickly franchise, were greeted with ovations. Wirtz spoke briefly, perhaps with a pause to gather himself. His people did not struggle returning thanks.

"ROC-KY!! ROC-KY!! ROC-KY!!"

When this enlightened regime took hold, the mantra was One Goal, but not specifically One Cup. Bold action validated promising words, and that explains why Chicago hockey fans have multiplied exponentially. The new ones are hooked on the product, and the old ones who felt unrequited love have united in trusting the organization. That was their one goal. The young guys in sweaters are terrific, and the sport played the way they play it is breathtaking. But it is the totality of commitment, from the executive branch to center ice faceoff dot, that solidifies this connection, this bond.

Stan Bowman, the architect vice president/general manager, was serenaded with "Happy Birthday to You." He will have his cake, then fly to today's National Hockey League draft. Pat Foley, for three decades the popular voice of the Blackhawks, introduced every player who brought home this Cup and a couple who will be commissioned to secure the next one, Ben Smith and Ryan Stanton. The scouts, trainers, equipment and medical staff had their moment in the sun after endless hours in the trenches.

Kane appeared with his Conn Smythe Trophy for being voted most valuable player in the playoffs. But Kane didn't vote. He volunteered in Boston that it could have gone elsewhere, and now he unfurled The Belt that teammates award to each hero of the night. Kane bestowed it on Crawford, "the best player in the playoffs." The goalie accepted, tossing in a couple words that were as blue as the sky. But what's a no-no among myriad friends? Crawford's goals against average throughout the grind was a spectacular 1.84. That's in stone. His remarks can be edited.

Jonathan Toews, the great captain, brought out the Stanley Cup, gave it not his first smooch, then saluted the sea of red. He was hoarse. In his shortest shift since January, Duncan Keith finished off by reminding all that it is better to live one day as a lion than 1,000 years as a lamb. He spoke in a dialect — Scottish? — that was not normal for him, but these are not normal times. Two Stanley Cups in four years with the wherewithal, and the proclivity to accumulate more? In the era of a hard salary cap? Parity? No, priceless.

Kane departed with the Stanley Cup, a definite people magnet. He's a young icon in Chicago, but a couple mates insisted that fans shadowing Kane were just using him to get introduced to the Cup. Back on the bus, Crawford took a seat near his parents, clutching The Belt. The boys of winter were pointed toward a private party, soon to scatter for a couple months like the confetti shower accorded champions.

"That," said the goalie, "was awesome."

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 06.30.2013

682973 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks go down in history for best reasons

By Barry Rozner

No team wins the Stanley Cup without first suffering the tribulations of a marathon playoff run, without overcoming two months' worth of trials.

And no team has ever done it with more drama and heart than the 2013 Chicago Blackhawks.

Let that be the reason — their admirable audacity — that we remember these Stanley Cup champions.

Memories fade over time, but history will record the triumphs of a team that stared constant calamity in the face and refused to submit.

It is without question the overwhelming characteristic of this title run, the courage and integrity of a team that would not — and simply could not — accept defeat.

By now you know all that they survived to reach the top, the steps to the summit littered with hidden crevices and gaping chasms, each one threatening to send them to their doom.

Every time, the Hawks had an answer. Every time, they had a solution. Every time, they had each other.

A beaming symbol of the depth Stan Bowman created out of the salary cap nightmare he inherited was how the fourth line scored the winning goal to capture the Stanley Cup, backed by the defensive pairing of Niklas Hjalmarsson and Johnny Oduya.

Even after Dave Bolland scored the go-ahead goal, the fourth line remained on the ice to start the final minute, and until a few seconds remained — when Marian Hossa replaced Michael Frolik, and Brent Seabrook replaced Hjalmarsson — charged with protecting the lead along with Jonathan Toews were Hjalmarsson, Oduya, Frolik, Michal Handzus and Corey Crawford, all players that few believed in beyond Bowman and his staff.

"There was definitely a lot of depth and that was probably our greatest asset," said Patrick Sharp. "I think back to 2010, you had some guys who were probably unknown names that made names for themselves throughout that year and in the playoffs, and you saw it again this year."

Depth of talent and irrepressible spirit throughout the roster, two factors that carried the Hawks to their best response at their worst deficit.

"The resiliency of this group is really something special," Bowman said. "If you didn't see what they've been able to do, you probably wouldn't believe it. There are so many guys on this team who won't give up. They just won't give up no matter what."

Of course, it can't be done without superstars, but in the salary cap era, the GM that wins is the GM who can draft, develop and discover the spare parts that allow a team to win when the top lines are being smothered.

"The depth of our four lines made it such a great season and a fun team to coach," said Joel Quenneville, who right to the very end managed to push the correct buttons. "The back end had depth, too, and Corey was just brilliant for us in goal."

As the Hawks celebrated on the ice late Monday night, every jersey had at least a smattering of blood on it, courtesy of Andrew Shaw's face. Every time he hugged a player, each got a reminder of Shaw's unyielding energy — and yet another teammate who refused to quit.

About 19 hours after the horn sounded on the Stanley Cup Final — and gloves, sticks and helmets were strewed about TD Garden — I visited with colleagues Dan Bernstein and Laurence Holmes Tuesday afternoon on the Score.

They asked what it was like to be on the ice with the Hawks as they celebrated, and what was most memorable, but I didn't have a great answer. It was simply too soon.

Now, with a little distance, I know the answer.

It wasn't the beaming Crawford, who found validation in victory. It wasn't Scotty Bowman, the proud father. It wasn't Rocky Wirtz, who had to stay away from his beloved team until it was his team to run. And it wasn't seeing veterans in tears, players such as Handzus, Jamal Mayers, Michal Rozsival and Ray Emery, guys who had waited their entire lives for that moment.

All amazing pictures of the mind that will remain secure for an eternity, but not the one that sticks out.

It was Quenneville recalling the effort of his injured players, choking up and unable to speak while trying to explain that he didn't think Bryan Bickell would even play in the series, that Shaw and Handzus probably shouldn't have dressed, that Oduya, Toews, Hossa, Sharp and Bolland had kept it together with chewing gum and spit.

He mentioned Patrice Bergeron, who, as it turns out, played Game 6 with broken ribs, torn cartilage, a separated shoulder and — just for yucks — a small hole in his lung.

This is a man in Quenneville, keep in mind, who played 800 games in this league and has coached another 1,200. More than 2,000 games and Quenneville had trouble verbalizing what he had seen.

"I'm just in awe of what these guys have done," Quenneville said, sniffing back the tears. "I think you have to commend the effort of both teams. The series was something very special. Just something very special. Special men, special players."

That is the indelible moment, a coach stunned by sudden victory, still shocked by what modern, millionaire players will do for each other, for their uniform and for a chance to win the Stanley Cup.

And in the end, for reasons even Quenneville knew were too esoteric or arbitrary to explain, it went the Hawks' way.

"It was one of those seasons," Quenneville said. "It was a fairy tale ending and an amazing season."

An amazing season, a series for the ages and a champion that will live in the hearts of Chicagoans forever.

As long as there are sports and as long as there is ice, these Blackhawks will be remembered.

They have earned at least that much.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 06.30.2013

682974 Chicago Blackhawks

No overhaul this time for Hawks roster

Looking back on 25 players who brought the Cup back to Chicago

By Tim Sassone

Stan Bowman has some good news for Blackhawks fans.

While the NHL salary cap is going down to $64.3 million from $70.2 million, the Blackhawks general manager says there won't be dramatic changes to the roster like there was in 2010 after the first Stanley Cup win.

"We are going to make a few changes, but it's not going to be like before," Bowman said. "There's a lot of work to be done here in a short amount of time with the schedule so tight and the draft approaching (Sunday). We don't have it all sorted out yet, but we have an idea of what we want to do. It just takes some time."

First order of business for Bowman is getting left wing Bryan Bickell re-signed before he becomes an unrestricted free agent on Friday.

"I'm proud of the way (Bickell) has progressed as a player and I'm happy for him," Bowman said. "We have a long history together going back to when we drafted him. I've spent a lot of time over the years trying to keep him encouraged and he spent three or four years in the minor leagues and sometimes those guys get disgruntled.

"But he stuck with it and he just improved along the way, so if anything we're excited for him and we certainly want to keep him here. It's a puzzle to put together and try to work it out, but I think he wants to be here. I know he's said that publicly and we certainly want him back, so we're going to do everything we can to make that happen."

Bickell said on Thursday he would consider a hometown discount to stay.

Getting restricted free agents Nick Leddy and Marcus Kruger re-signed comes next for Bowman.

With the franchise's fifth Stanley Cup title in grasp (and the second in four seasons), here's a roster breakdown of what each player contributed in the record-setting season and what kind of a future might be ahead for them.

Defense:

Niklas Hjalmarsson — One of the team's most underrated players, he's a top shot blocker and a dependable defenseman. He's going into the final year of his contract as a two-time Stanley Cup winner so getting him re-signed could be tricky.

Duncan Keith — What's left to say about this guy? He had 13 points in the playoffs and averaged well over 30 minutes of ice time a game in the Finals. He is signed through 2023, so get used to seeing No. 2 around.

Nick Leddy — He had a good regular season, but played less and less as the playoffs progressed. The Hawks still love his upside and want to keep the 22-year-old defenseman. Bowman said he is not worried about Leddy getting an offer sheet.

Johnny Oduya — He was plus-12 with 10 points in the playoffs. That says it all about Oduya's value when it mattered most.

Michal Rozsival — One of Bowman's toughest decisions will be whether to offer the 34-year-old unrestricted free agent another contract. He certainly deserves it based on his play in the playoffs, but how much more than the $2 million he made this season would it take? It might be time for the Hawks to go with Adam Clendening to run the power play, if nothing else.

Brent Seabrook — He scored 2 of the biggest goals of the postseason for the Hawks, both in overtime, against Detroit in Game 7 of that series and in Game 4 at Boston. He added a physical edge the Hawks couldn't have done without against the Bruins and really stepped up as a leader in a couple situations when Jonathan Toews either wasn't scoring taking penalties against the Detroit Red Wings.

Center:

Michal Handzus — He said he wants to return, but at age 36 he might not get that chance. He was invaluable in the playoffs, however, and is quite popular with his teammates if that means anything. He will be an unrestricted free agent on Friday.

Marcus Kruger — Turned into a premier penalty killer with Michael Frolik, and Kruger is a must to get re-signed as a restricted free agent if for no other reason than that. He assisted on Bolland's game-winner with less than a minute to play in Game 6.

Jonathan Toews — There are no words left to describe the kind of season he had and what he means to the team. He's a true leader of men.

Winger:

Bryan Bickell — His 9 goals in the playoffs were second only to Patrick Sharp's 10, one more important than the last. He couldn't have picked a better time to have the playoff of his life, but he's been a good soldier and deserves whatever he can get as an unrestricted free agent.

Daniel Carcillo — Will finally get a ring after missing out in 2010 when he was with the Flyers.

Michael Frolik — Nobody on the Hawks played harder than Frolik from the first game of the season through Game 6 of the Finals. Accepted his role on the fourth line and turned into one of the game's top penalty killers.

Marian Hossa — Played on pure guts the last three games of the Finals with a back so bad he might need surgery. He had 7 goals and 16 points in the playoffs to remind everyone that he is probably the Hawks' second-best all-around player behind Toews.

Patrick Kane — A big-game player by every definition of the word. His hat trick against Los Angeles in the finale of the Western Conference finals looked like small potatoes compared to his clutch 2-goal game in Game 5 of the Finals. He has earned the right to act as crazy as he wants this off-season.

Jamal Mayers — A pro's pro who is likely to retire a champion. And it's well deserved.

Brandon Saad — The man-child from Pittsburgh became a hero with his consistent play, which earned him a spot on the NHL's all-rookie team on Saturday.

Patrick Sharp — He led the team in playoff goals in both Cup years, which is a true testament to his ability to come up big when it matters the most. Sharp doesn't get as much attention as Toews or Kane, but he should.

Andrew Shaw — The guts of the team, Shaw played with a broken rib for the last two series and took a puck to the face in Game 6 against Boston and still returned to play. Sometimes good things come out of nowhere, which was the case with Shaw, a fifth-round draft pick.

Ben Smith — He will get his name on the Cup for having played a game in the Finals when Hossa couldn't go in Game 3. He definitely should figure into the team's plans for next year.

Viktor Stalberg — Unfortunately for Stalberg, his last game with the Hawks was probably the most memorable for him. As an unrestricted free agent and not one of coach Joel Quenneville's favorites, he will undoubtedly sign elsewhere but as a Stanley Cup champion.

Goaltender:

Corey Crawford — As Stan Bowman said, Crawford took the long way to becoming a Stanley Cup champion. He played in the minors for five years before finally getting his chance to start in 2011. There have been bumps along the way, but that hardly matters now.

Ray Emery — Another unrestricted free agent who may or may not return. There could be a team out there ready to throw big money at him and the opportunity to start, but Emery said last week there's something fun about winning so his return to back up Crawford for another season is a possibility.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 06.30.2013

682975 Chicago Blackhawks

Why hockey’s a big hit in Chicago

By Mike Imrem

Why are hockey, the Blackhawks and the NHL such a big hit in Chicago?

Well, the big hits themselves do have something to do with it. But they represent only one of myriad elements that comprise the unique rhythms, traditions and language of the sport.

Here are some other reasons, past and present, from Mush March to Elbows Nesterenko to Captain Serious, for the game's popularity around here:

For starters, of course, Lord Stanley's Cup.

Winning it, hoisting it, hugging it, kissing it, drinking from it, enjoying one full day to do what a champion wants to do with it.

Playoff intensity, playoff overtime and playoff beards.

Playoff hockey, period.

The greatest 17 seconds in memory.

Any goaltender that stands on his head.

Charlie Gardiner, Glenn Hall, Tony Esposito, Eddie Belfour and now Corey Crawford.

My personal favorite, Al Rollins.

"B-a-a-a-a-a-a-nerman!

Rough-tough, rock 'em-sock 'em, end-to-end mayhem that requires penalties to be whistled for transgressions like slashing, spearing, roughing, cross-checking, charging, boarding, hooking, elbowing and fighting.

Sorry but the NHL's appeal has to include goons, five-minute majors, thugs and game misconducts.

But also included has to be Lady Byng.

Players being paid like the 1 percent but working like the 99 percent.

Pat Foley and Eddie Olczyk.

Doc Emrick and Eddie Olczyk.

Eddie Olczyk.

Moose Jaw, Medicine Hat and the Madhouse on Madison.

"The Star-Spangled Banner" by Jim Cornelison, and before him Wayne Messmer.

"Oh, Canada."

"Chelsea Dagger."

The goal light.

The horn.

The siren.

Forechecks, backchecks and unsung Czechs like Michal Rozsival.

Oh yeah, and fat checks signed by Rocky Wirtz.

John McDonough and Jay Blunk.

RIP: Keith Magnuson, Reggie Fleming and too many other Hawks from my youth.

A Zamboni, any Zamboni.

Savvy plus Spin-o-ramas plus Savoir Faire equals Denis Savard.

Penalty shots.

Power plays.

Shorties.

The Bowmans younger and older.

Frolik and Kruger killing time.

Morning skates.

Puck possession.

Hawks' home games on TV.

"Let's go, Hawks! … Let's go, Hawks! … Let's go, Hawks!"

The old Chicago Stadium.

16,666.

Don't forget Dale Tallon.

Agitators, belligerents and pests.

Speed and skill vs. size and strength.

The statues today … and the real thing back in the day.

Line changes.

Winners and losers in the handshake line after a playoff series.

Slap shots, wrist shots and one-timers.

The "C."

The organ-I-zation.

"Here come the Hawks" … "Cold Steel on Ice … "One Goal."

Lloyd Pettit.

The Indian head, as politically incorrect as it might be.

Opponents like Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby.

Eh.

Lord Stanley's Cup … again.

Those are just some of the reasons hockey is such a big hit in Chicago.

Maybe the question should be why it isn't as big in so many places across the rest of the United States.