History of Chicago Blackhawks in Timeline
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team established in 1926, based in Chicago, and competing in the NHL's Central Division within the Western Conference. A member of the "Original Six" NHL teams, they've secured six Stanley Cup championships. Since the 1994-95 season, the Blackhawks have played their home games at the United Center, sharing the arena with the Chicago Bulls of the NBA.
May 15, 1926: Chicago awarded NHL expansion franchise
On May 15, 1926, the NHL owners awarded an expansion franchise for Chicago to a syndicate headed by Huntington Hardwick.
November 17, 1926: Black Hawks play first game
On November 17, 1926, the Black Hawks played their first game against the Toronto St. Patricks at the Chicago Coliseum, winning 4–1.
1926: Original Logo Design
In 1926, Irene Castle designed the original version of the Chicago Blackhawks' logo, featuring a crudely drawn black and white Native head in a circle.
1926: Black Hawks begin play
In 1926, the Black Hawks began play along with expansion franchises Detroit Cougars and New York Rangers.
1926: Uniform Inspiration
The Chicago Blackhawks 2019 Winter Classic uniform was inspired by the uniforms the team wore from 1926-27 season to the 1934-35 season.
1927: Black Hawks lose first-round playoff series
In 1927, after a moderate first season, the Black Hawks lost the first-round playoff series to the Boston Bruins.
1927: The Curse of Muldoon is born
In 1927, after being fired, Pete Muldoon allegedly put a curse on the Black Hawks, leading to the creation of the Curse of Muldoon.
1928: Black Hawks divide time between arenas
In 1928, due to construction delays and a dispute, the Black Hawks divided their time between the Coliseum, the Detroit Olympia, and the Peace Bridge Arena.
1930: Hawks reach first Stanley Cup Final
In the 1930–31 season, the Hawks reached their first Stanley Cup Final.
1931: Black Hawks reach first Stanley Cup Final
In 1931, with key players, the Black Hawks reached their first Stanley Cup Final, but lost to the Montreal Canadiens.
1932: Arthur Wirtz becomes minority partner
In 1932, Arthur Wirtz became a minority partner in the syndicate put together by James E. Norris to buy the Detroit Red Wings.
1934: Blackhawks win Stanley Cup
In 1934, the Chicago Blackhawks won a Stanley Cup title under the ownership of Frederic McLaughlin.
1934: Uniform Inspiration
The Chicago Blackhawks 2019 Winter Classic uniform was inspired by the uniforms the team wore from 1926-27 season to the 1934-35 season.
1936: Norris purchases Chicago Stadium
In 1936, James E. Norris purchased the Chicago Stadium, becoming the Black Hawks' landlord.
1936: Jersey Design Inspiration
The Blackhawks wore jerseys based on the design worn in the 1936–37 season for the 2009 Winter Classic.
1937: Black Hawks almost miss playoffs
In the 1937-38 season, the Black Hawks nearly missed the playoffs.
1938: Black Hawks win Stanley Cup
In 1938, despite a poor regular season record and goaltender issues, the Black Hawks won the Stanley Cup.
1938: Second "Reverse Retro" Uniform
The Blackhawks' second "Reverse Retro" uniform, released in the 2022-23 season, was based on their 1938 uniform.
1938: Stanley Cup Years
The Chicago Blackhawks' 2019 Winter Classic uniforms featured several diagonal white lines inside the collar with the six years the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup written in red, including 1934 and 1938.
1943: Story of the curse first printed
In 1943, Coleman first printed the story of the Curse of Muldoon.
December 1944: McLaughlin's estate sells team
In December 1944, after McLaughlin died, his estate sold the Chicago Blackhawks to a syndicate headed by Bill Tobin.
1944: McLaughlin death
In 1944, after the death of Frederic McLaughlin, the Norris family took over ownership of the Chicago Blackhawks.
1944: Black Hawks return to Stanley Cup Final
In 1944, the Black Hawks, led by Doug Bentley, returned to the Stanley Cup Final but were defeated by the Montreal Canadiens.
1945: Beginning of period of futility
Between 1945 and 1958, the Norris-Tobin ownership of the Black Hawks paid almost no attention to the team, resulting in a period of futility.
1950: James D. Norris and Arthur Wirtz take over club
In 1950, James D. Norris and Arthur Wirtz took over the Chicago Blackhawks, guiding it through financial reversals and rebuilding the team.
1952: James D. Norris becomes owner
In 1952, after the death of the senior James E. Norris, James D. Norris became the owner of the Chicago Blackhawks.
1955: Logo Modification
At the beginning of the 1955-56 season, the outer circle was removed from the Blackhawks' logo, and the head began to resemble the team's current primary logo.
1955: Jersey Design Debut
In 1955, the Blackhawks debuted their predominantly red jerseys with black and white stripes, and white jerseys with alternating black, white, and red stripes, featuring the team's logo and the "C" with crossed tomahawks.
1957: 1957-58 Jersey Inspiration
In 1957, the Chicago Blackhawks' 1957-58 jersey design served as inspiration for the team's 2015 Winter Classic uniform.
1957: 1957-1965 Franchise Logo
The 2017 Winter Classic uniform featured a logo reminiscent of the Blackhawks' franchise logo from 1957-1965, but without the roundel and lettering.
1958: End of period of futility
By 1958, the Norris ownership, paid almost no attention to the Black Hawks. Between 1945 and 1958, they only made the playoffs twice.
1958: Black Hawks last made the playoffs
In the 1968–69 season, the Black Hawks missed the playoffs for the first time since 1958.
1959: First-round exit at the hands of Montreal
In 1959, the Blackhawks suffered a first-round exit at the hands of Montreal.
1960: First-round exit at the hands of Montreal
In 1960, the Blackhawks suffered a first-round exit at the hands of Montreal.
1961: Blackhawks win Stanley Cup
In 1961, the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Detroit Red Wings to win their third Stanley Cup championship.
1961: Stanley Cup Years
The Chicago Blackhawks' 2019 Winter Classic uniforms featured several diagonal white lines inside the collar with the six years the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup written in red, including 1961.
1962: Hawks lose to Leafs in Cup Final
In 1962, the Hawks lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Stanley Cup Final.
1964: Logo and Uniform Consistency
The basic logo and jersey design of the Chicago Blackhawks have remained constant ever since the 1964-65 season.
1965: Hawks lose to Canadiens in Cup Final
In 1965, the Hawks lost to the Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Final.
1965: 1957-1965 Franchise Logo
The 2017 Winter Classic uniform featured a logo reminiscent of the Blackhawks' franchise logo from 1957-1965, but without the roundel and lettering.
1966: Norris arranges expansion franchise in St. Louis
Before his death in 1966, James D. Norris arranged an expansion franchise in St. Louis.
1966: James D. Norris death
In 1966, James D. Norris passed away, leading to the Wirtz family becoming the owners of the Chicago Blackhawks franchise.
1966: Black Hawks finish first, curse broken
In the 1966–67 season, the Black Hawks finished first, breaking the supposed "Curse of Muldoon".
1967: Glenn Hall drafted by the St. Louis Blues
For the 1967-68 season, goaltender Glenn Hall was drafted by the St. Louis Blues expansion team.
1967: Trade with the Boston Bruins
In 1967, the Black Hawks made a trade with the Boston Bruins, sending Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge, and Fred Stanfield to Boston in exchange for Pit Martin, Jack Norris, and Gilles Marotte.
1968: Pierre Pilote traded and Hall drafted
In 1968, Pierre Pilote was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, while Glenn Hall was drafted by the St. Louis Blues.
1970: Hawks move into West Division
In 1970, the Chicago Blackhawks moved into the West Division, becoming the class of the West overnight.
1974: Worst season since 1974
In the 2023–24 NHL season, the team finished with a 23–53–6 record, marking the worst in franchise history since 1974.
1976: Blackhawks Acquire Bobby Orr
In 1976, the Blackhawks acquired legendary defenseman Bobby Orr from the Boston Bruins. Due to ill health, Orr was forced to sit out for most of the season.
1979: Stan Mikita Retires
In 1979, Stan Mikita retired from the Blackhawks after playing for the team for 22 years.
1982: Blackhawks Make Playoff Run
In 1982, the Blackhawks made the playoffs as the fourth seed in the Norris Division. Led by Denis Savard and Doug Wilson, the Blackhawks defeated the Minnesota North Stars and St. Louis Blues before losing to the Vancouver Canucks in the Stanley Cup Final.
1983: Arthur Wirtz Dies
In 1983, Arthur Wirtz died, and his son Bill Wirtz took sole control of the Chicago Blackhawks.
1984: Blackhawks Make Playoffs
After an off-year, in 1984, the Hawks again faced a now fresh-off-a-ring Edmonton offensive juggernaut of a team and lost in the third round in 1985.
1985: Tradition of Cheering During "The Star-Spangled Banner" Begins
During the 1985 playoff series against Edmonton, the Black Hawks and their fans started a tradition of cheering during the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner".
1985: Blackhawks Lose to Oilers
In 1985, the Blackhawks faced the Edmonton Oilers in the playoffs and lost in the third round.
1985: Team's Name Printed as Compound Word
Prior to the 1985–86 season, the Chicago Blackhawks' original NHL contract was found to have their name printed as a compound word ("Blackhawks") as opposed to two separate words ("Black Hawks").
1986: Team Transitions to "Chicago Blackhawks"
During the 1985-86 season, the Chicago Blackhawks team began transitioning to "Chicago Blackhawks" before the league officially followed suit ahead of the 1986–87 campaign.
1986: Lloyd Pettit receives Foster Hewitt Memorial Award
In 1986, Lloyd Pettit, a sportscaster, became the first Blackhawks broadcaster to receive the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame.
1986: Team name officially changed to "Blackhawks"
In 1986, the Chicago hockey team's name was officially changed to the "Blackhawks", adopting the spelling found in the original franchise documents. Previously, the name was spelled as two words, "Black Hawks".
1988: Blackhawks Make Early-Round Exits
In the late 1980s, Chicago still made the playoffs on an annual basis, but made early-round exits each time. In 1988-89, after three-straight first-round defeats and despite a fourth-place finish in their division in the regular season, Chicago made it to the conference finals.
1989: Blackhawks Lose to Calgary Flames
In 1989, the Blackhawks failed to make the Stanley Cup Final, losing to the eventual champions, the Calgary Flames.
1991: Blackhawks Win Presidents' Trophy, Lose in First Round
In 1990-91, Chicago was poised to fare even better in the playoffs, winning the Presidents' Trophy for best regular season record, but the Minnesota North Stars stunned them in six games in the first round en route to an improbable Stanley Cup Final appearance.
1992: Blackhawks Reach Stanley Cup Final, Swept by Penguins
In 1991-92, the Blackhawks, with key players like Jeremy Roenick, Steve Larmer, Chris Chelios, and Ed Belfour, reached the Stanley Cup Final after 19 years, winning 11 consecutive playoff games. However, they were swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins. At the same time, the Chicago Bulls were also in the NBA finals.
1992: Blackhawks Appearance in Stanley Cup
In 1992, the Blackhawks made an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final.
1992: Blackhawks Eliminated in First Round of Playoffs
In 1992-93, despite Belfour's 40-win season and Chelios's high penalty time, the St. Louis Blues swept the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs.
1994: Blackhawks' Last Season at Chicago Stadium
Although they finished near .500 in 1993–94, the Blackhawks again qualified for the playoffs. The 1993–94 season was also the Blackhawks' last at the Chicago Stadium.
1994: Mike Keenan Coaches Rangers to Stanley Cup
In 1994, Blackhawks head coach Mike Keenan coached the New York Rangers to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years.
1996: Introduction of Alternate Third Jersey
Between 1996 and 2007, the team previously donned an alternate third jersey that was primarily black with red and white stripes.
1996: Alternate Black Uniform
For the Blackhawks' 2025-26 centennial season, the alternate black uniform they previously wore from 1996 to 2007 and in the 2008–09 season was brought back.
1996: Stadium Series Uniform Inspiration
The Blackhawks 2014 Stadium Series uniform was similar to the alternates they wore from 1996 to 2009.
1997: Denis Savard Becomes Assistant Coach
Denis Savard had been the assistant coach of the Blackhawks team since 1997, a year after he retired as one of the most popular and successful Blackhawks players of all time.
1997: Black Hawks missed the playoffs
In the 1997–98 season, the Black Hawks missed the playoffs for the first time since 1958.
1998: Blackhawks Miss Playoffs
In 1997–98, the Blackhawks missed the playoffs by five points for the first time in 29 years.
1999: Blackhawks Miss Playoffs
In 1998–99, Chicago would also miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
1999: Native American Head Logo
The Native American head logo used in the 2019 Winter Classic uniform featured the 1999–2000 native American head logo that they currently wear.
2000: Native American Head Logo
The Native American head logo used in the 2019 Winter Classic uniform featured the 1999–2000 native American head logo that they currently wear.
2001: Introduction of Tommy Hawk
In the 2001-02 season, the Chicago Blackhawks introduced Tommy Hawk, an anthropomorphic black hawk mascot who wears the Blackhawks' feathers, jersey, and hockey pants.
2002: Blackhawks Lose to St. Louis Blues in Playoffs
In 2002, the Blackhawks lost to the St. Louis Blues in five games after winning game 1 of the series.
February 2004: ESPN Names Blackhawks Worst Franchise in Professional Sports
In February 2004, ESPN named the Chicago Blackhawks the worst franchise in professional sports.
November 2004: Uniform Ranked Among Best
In November 2004, the Blackhawks' uniform was voted one of the 25 best in professional sports by Paul Lukas of GQ.
2004: Lockout of the 2004-05 Season
Following the lockout of the 2004–05 season, new general manager Dale Tallon set about restructuring the team in the hopes of making a playoff run.
2005: Tallon Restructures Blackhawks Team
In the summer of 2005, General Manager Dale Tallon restructured the Blackhawks team, signing Nikolai Khabibulin and Adrian Aucoin.
May 16, 2006: Pat Foley Fired
On May 16, 2006, the Blackhawks announced that Pat Foley would not be brought back after 25 years with the team.
November 26, 2006: Trent Yawney Fired, Denis Savard Appointed Head Coach
On November 26, 2006, Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon fired head coach Trent Yawney and appointed assistant coach Denis Savard as the head coach.
September 26, 2007: Bill Wirtz Dies, Rocky Wirtz Succeeds Him
On September 26, 2007, longtime Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz died, and his son Rocky Wirtz succeeded him.
2007: Alternate Black Uniform
For the Blackhawks' 2025-26 centennial season, the alternate black uniform they previously wore from 1996 to 2007 and in the 2008–09 season was brought back.
2007: Rocky Wirtz takes control
In 2007, Rocky Wirtz took control of the Chicago Blackhawks, turning around the organization and leading them to three Stanley Cup victories.
2007: Uniform Changes
In 2007, the Blackhawks made minute changes to their uniforms, adding a larger logo, a new collar with the NHL logo, and a "baseball-style cut" along the bottom.
2007: Blackhawks Experiment with Televised Home Games
Midway into the 2007–08 season, the Chicago Blackhawks experimented with a partnership with Comcast SportsNet Chicago and WGN-TV by airing selected home games on television.
February 13, 2008: Blackhawks announce first fan convention
On February 13, 2008, the Blackhawks announced that they would hold their first fan convention.
February 26, 2008: Blackhawks trade Tuomo Ruutu and Martin Lapointe
On February 26, 2008, the Blackhawks traded Tuomo Ruutu to the Carolina Hurricanes for Andrew Ladd. Also on February 26, 2008, the Blackhawks traded captain Martin Lapointe to the Ottawa Senators for a sixth-round draft pick in the 2008 NHL entry draft.
April 30, 2008: Deal signed with WGN Radio
On April 30, 2008, the Blackhawks signed a three-year deal with WGN Radio (720 AM).
July 16, 2008: Blackhawks to host 2009 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field
On July 16, 2008, the Blackhawks announced that they would host the 2009 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field on New Year's Day against the Detroit Red Wings.
October 16, 2008: Denis Savard replaced with Joel Quenneville as head coach
On October 16, 2008, the Blackhawks relieved Denis Savard of his head coaching duties and replaced him with Joel Quenneville.
2008: All games broadcast on television for the first time
During the 2008–09 season, for the first time in team history, all 82 Blackhawks games plus playoffs were broadcast on television, with at least 20 games airing on WGN-TV.
2008: Alternate Black Uniform
For the Blackhawks' 2025-26 centennial season, the alternate black uniform they previously wore from 1996 to 2007 and in the 2008–09 season was brought back.
2008: Return of Black Alternate Jersey
In 2008, the Blackhawks brought back their black alternate third jersey design.
2008: Blackhawks Begin Playoff Run
In 2008-09 season, Blackhawks begin playoff run, ending a period where the consistently were out of the playoffs from the 1997-98 season.
2008: Mark Bell Traded
The Hawks dealt forward Mark Bell to the Sharks, Michal Barinka and a 2008 second-round draft pick to the Senators, while Ottawa also received defenseman Tom Preissing and center Josh Hennessy from San Jose.
July 14, 2009: Dale Tallon demoted, Stan Bowman promoted
On July 14, 2009, Dale Tallon was demoted to the position of senior advisor for the Blackhawks, and Stan Bowman was promoted to general manager.
December 1, 2009: Blackhawks re-sign Kane, Toews and Keith
On December 1, 2009, the Blackhawks re-signed Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews to contract extensions worth $31.5 million over five years, and Duncan Keith to a 13-year extension worth $72 million.
2009: Aldrich's Alleged Sexual Assault
During the 2009–10 season, former Blackhawks prospect Kyle Beach was allegedly sexually assaulted by Brad Aldrich, the team's former video coach.
2009: Winter Classic Jersey Design
For the 2009 Winter Classic, the Blackhawks wore jerseys based on the design worn in the 1936-37 season, which was later used as their third jersey.
2009: Veterans Day Camouflage Jerseys
Since 2009, the Blackhawks have worn special camouflage jerseys on Veterans Day during their pregame warm-ups to raise money for the USO of Illinois.
2009: Stadium Series Uniform Inspiration
The Blackhawks 2014 Stadium Series uniform was similar to the alternates they wore from 1996 to 2009.
April 6, 2010: Blackhawks set new franchise record for wins in a season
On April 6, 2010, the Hawks won their 50th game of the 2009–10 season against the Dallas Stars, setting a new franchise record for wins in a season.
2010: Cubs agree to allow Blackhawks games to be broadcast on WGN
During the 2010 Stanley Cup Final, the Cubs agreed to allow the Blackhawks games to be broadcast on WGN due to the larger area the games could be heard.
2010: Winter Classic Jersey as Third Jersey
For the 2009–10 season, the Blackhawks used this Winter Classic design as their third jersey.
2010: Past Stanley Cup Victories
In 2010, Hjalmarsson and Hossa were core members of the Blackhawks roster that won three Stanley Cups in 2010.
2010: Call to Retire Logo
In 2010, sports columnist Damien Cox called on the Chicago Blackhawks franchise to retire the "racially insensitive" logo.
2010: Blackhawks' Handling of Aldrich Allegations
In 2010, the Blackhawks deferred action on allegations against Brad Aldrich until after the Stanley Cup Final series. The team was later sued for their handling of the matter.
2010: Blackhawks win Stanley Cup
In 2010, the Chicago Blackhawks, under the ownership of Rocky Wirtz, won the Stanley Cup.
February 15, 2011: Broadcast contract with WGN-TV renewed
On February 15, 2011, the Blackhawks announced the renewal of their broadcast contract with WGN-TV for five years, starting in the 2011–12 NHL season.
2011: Retiring Winter Classic Jerseys
The Blackhawks retired their 2009 Winter Classic jerseys after the 2010–11 season.
2012: Earliest Playoff Exit
In 2012, The Blackhawks experienced their earliest playoff exit since 2012.
2013: Past Stanley Cup Victories
In 2013, Hjalmarsson and Hossa were core members of the Blackhawks roster that won three Stanley Cups in 2013.
2013: Blackhawks win Stanley Cup
In 2013, the Chicago Blackhawks, under the ownership of Rocky Wirtz, won the Stanley Cup.
January 2014: Stadium Series game at Soldier Field
In January 2014, the Blackhawks played their second outdoor game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Soldier Field as part of the 2014 Stadium Series, defeating the Penguins 5–1.
May 15, 2014: Broadcast contract with WGN-TV extended
On May 15, 2014, the broadcast deal with WGN-TV was further extended for three more years, keeping the team on Channel 9 until the end of the 2018–19 season.
2014: Stadium Series Uniform
For the 2014 Stadium Series, the Blackhawks wore a black uniform similar to the alternates they wore from 1996 to 2009, featuring chrome-treated logo designs.
2014: Pat Foley awarded Foster Hewitt Memorial Award
In 2014, Pat Foley, a Blackhawks broadcaster, was awarded the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame.
2014: Off-season Signings and Trades
In 2014, during the off-season before the 2014–15 season, the Blackhawks signed center Brad Richards and goaltender Scott Darling to one-year contracts. The team also traded defenseman Nick Leddy to the New York Islanders.
2014: Games aired on WGWG-LP
In mid-2014, Blackhawks games in scheduling conflict situations began to air on WGWG-LP (Channel 6/87.7 FM).
2015: Past Stanley Cup Victories
In 2015, Hjalmarsson and Hossa were core members of the Blackhawks roster that won three Stanley Cups in 2015.
2015: Saad Traded to Columbus
In 2015, The Blackhawks traded Brandon Saad's negotiation rights to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Artem Anisimov, Marko Daňo, Corey Tropp, Jeremy Morin and a draft pick.
2015: 2015 Winter Classic Uniform
In 2015, for the Winter Classic, the Chicago Blackhawks wore a uniform inspired by their 1957-58 jersey, nearly identical to their current road uniform with minor differences in the lace-up collar, font, and C-Tomahawk logo colors.
2015: Blackhawks Win the 2015 Stanley Cup Final
In 2015, the Blackhawks defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final, securing their third Stanley Cup in six seasons.
2015: Blackhawks win Stanley Cup
In 2015, the Chicago Blackhawks, under the ownership of Rocky Wirtz, won the Stanley Cup.
November 2016: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus announcement
In November 2016, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus announced they would not return to the United Center in 2017, impacting the Blackhawks' and Bulls' scheduling.
2016: Trades Before 2016-17 Season
Before the 2016–17 season, the Blackhawks traded Andrew Shaw to the Montreal Canadiens and Bryan Bickell and Teuvo Teravainen to the Carolina Hurricanes due to salary cap constraints.
2016: Kane wins Hart Memorial Trophy
In 2016, Patrick Kane won the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP and the Ted Lindsay Award as the most outstanding player, with Artemi Panarin winning the Calder Memorial Trophy.
2016: Trade for Kimmo Timonen
In 2016, The Blackhawks acquired veteran defenseman Kimmo Timonen from the Philadelphia Flyers for second-round picks in 2015 and 2016
2016: NHL Centennial Anniversary Logo Design
In 2016, a special anniversary logo was designed for the NHL's centennial year, which started on January 1, 2017. The logo featured a banner wrapped around the number 100 with the current NHL shield in the foreground.
2016: 2016 Stadium Series Uniform
In 2016, for the Stadium Series game against the Minnesota Wild, the Chicago Blackhawks wore a unique white uniform with black/red/black stripes, the current logo on the chest, a "C" with crossed tomahawks on the sleeve, and distinct collar colors featuring the Flag of Chicago's stars.
2016: Bob Verdi awarded Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award
In 2016, team historian Bob Verdi was awarded the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award.
January 1, 2017: NHL Centennial Anniversary Logo
On January 1, 2017, the NHL's centennial year began, marked by a special anniversary logo for all thirty teams. The logo featured a banner wrapped around the number 100 with the current NHL shield in the foreground.
January 5, 2017: Blackhawks Debut NHL Centennial Patch on Home Jerseys
On January 5, 2017, the Chicago Blackhawks debuted the NHL's centennial anniversary logo patch on their home jerseys, positioned underneath the numbering on the right sleeve.
January 13, 2017: Blackhawks Debut NHL Centennial Patch on Away Jerseys
On January 13, 2017, the Chicago Blackhawks debuted the NHL's centennial anniversary logo patch on their away jerseys, positioned underneath the numbering on the right sleeve.
February 2017: Acquisition of Johnny Oduya
On February 28, 2017, the Blackhawks re-acquired Johnny Oduya in a trade with the Dallas Stars in exchange for Mark McNeill and a conditional draft pick.
December 2017: Corey Crawford Injury
In December 2017, goaltender Corey Crawford sustained an upper-body injury, sidelining him for the remainder of the year.
December 16, 2017: NHL 100 Classic
All home and away jerseys for all 30 teams will continue to have patches of the NHL's centennial emblem for the 2017–18 season, located above or below the numbers on their right sleeves, for at least up to the playing of the NHL 100 Classic on December 16, 2017.
2017: Adidas Replaces Reebok as Official Outfitter
In 2017, Adidas signed an agreement with the NHL to become the official outfitter of uniforms and licensed apparel, replacing Reebok starting with the 2017-18 season.
2017: Disney on Ice last two week show
In 2017, Disney on Ice performed its last two-week show at the United Center.
2017: Best Uniform Rankings
In 2017, The Hockey News voted the team's jersey as the best in the NHL, and the Blackhawks were voted to have the best uniform in the history of the NHL in a fan-vote conducted by the NHL.
2017: Blackhawks Ice Center originally opens
In 2017, the Blackhawks Ice Center originally opened as a 125,000-square-foot facility.
2017: 2017 Winter Classic Uniform
In 2017, the Blackhawks' Winter Classic uniforms closely resembled those worn in 2015, but featured modifications to the logo and cross tomahawks. The logo was adjusted to the 1957-1965 franchise logo (minus roundel and lettering) and featured a 2017 Winter Classic patch.
2017: Unveiling of Home and Away Uniforms
The home and away uniforms unveiled for the 2017-18 season remained nearly identical for the 2019-20 season, with the exception of the new collar designs.
March 20, 2018: Playoff Elimination
On March 20, 2018, the Blackhawks were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in nine years.
August 7, 2018: Death of Stan Mikita
Stan Mikita died on August 7, 2018. For the entire 2018–19 season, on both the home and away uniforms, the Blackhawks wore memorial patches in remembrance of Stan Mikita.
November 6, 2018: Quenneville Fired
On November 6, 2018, head coach Joel Quenneville, along with assistant coaches Kevin Dineen and Ulf Samuelsson, were fired.
2018: Home Games Wearing the Winter Classic Uniforms
After the 2019 Winter Classic, the team announced that uniforms from the game would be worn in three home games of the 2018–19 season.
2018: Disney on Ice condensed to one week
In 2018, Disney on Ice condensed its show to one week, following the announcement that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus would not return to the United Center.
2018: End of WGN-TV broadcast deal
The 2018-19 season marked the end of the Blackhawks' broadcast deal with WGN-TV, after the deal was extended on May 15, 2014.
January 2, 2019: Exclusive deal with NBC Sports Chicago agreed upon
On January 2, 2019, the Blackhawks, along with the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox, agreed to an exclusive multi-year deal with NBC Sports Chicago beginning with the 2019–20 season, ending the team's broadcasts on WGN-TV.
May 2019: Blackhawks Ice Center renamed
In May 2019, the Blackhawks Ice Center was renamed from MB Ice Arena to Fifth Third Arena.
2019: Winter Classic Jersey as Alternate
After the 2019 Winter Classic, the Blackhawks made their jersey from the game their alternate, wearing it for three more games in 2019 and in three games during the 2019–20 season.
2019: New Collar Designs
For the 2019-20 season, the Blackhawks' home and away uniforms remained similar to the 2017-18 designs, with the exception of the new collar designs. The home uniform featured a collar transitioning from white to solid red, while the away uniform transitioned from red to solid white.
2019: Andrew Shaw Rejoined Blackhawks
In 2019, Andrew Shaw previously rejoined the Blackhawks.
2019: Signing Ryan Carpenter and Robin Lehner
In 2019, Prior to the 2019–20 season, the Blackhawks signed center Ryan Carpenter and goaltender Robin Lehner on the opening day of free agency.
2019: Tommy Hawk Inducted into Mascot Hall of Fame
In 2019, Tommy Hawk, the Chicago Blackhawks mascot, was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame.
2019: Blackhawks Acquire Kirby Dach in 2019 NHL Draft
In 2019, after missing the playoffs for the second straight season, the Blackhawks won the third-overall pick in the 2019 NHL entry draft, which they used to select Kirby Dach.
2019: 2019 Winter Classic Uniform
In 2019, for the Winter Classic, the Blackhawks wore uniforms similar to those from the 1926-27 to 1934-35 seasons, featuring a black and white design with the Native American head logo on a roundel, and stripes on the shoulders and sleeves.
2019: American Indian Center Ends Ties
In 2019, the American Indian Center of Chicago ended all ties to the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, citing concerns about perpetuating stereotypes through the use of 'Indian' mascots.
2019: "CHICAGO" Inspired by 2019 Winter Classic
The 2020-21 Blackhawks "Reverse Retro" alternate uniforms featured "CHICAGO" in white with red trim across the chest inspired by the 2019 Winter Classic crest.
July 7, 2020: Blackhawks Defend Team Name and Logo
On July 7, 2020, the Chicago Blackhawks issued a press release to defend their team's name and logo, stating that it symbolizes Black Hawk of Illinois' Sac & Fox Nation.
December 16, 2020: Danny Wirtz Named CEO
On December 16, 2020, Danny Wirtz, the son of Rocky Wirtz, was named the new chief executive officer of the Chicago Blackhawks.
2020: "Reverse Retro" Alternate Uniforms
For the 2020-21 NHL season, the Blackhawks wore "Reverse Retro" alternate uniforms. The design was largely inspired from the team's 1940s uniforms.
2020: Playoff Appearance and McDonough Firing
In 2020, The Blackhawks fired John McDonough, and obtained a spot in the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, later losing to the Vegas Golden Knights.
2020: Helmet Advertising Introduced
Starting with the 2020-21 season, the NHL allowed advertising on gameday uniforms for the first time, starting with helmet ads. The Blackhawks' first helmet ad sponsor was United Airlines.
January 2021: 2020-21 Season Delayed and Condensed
In January 2021, the 2020–21 NHL season was delayed and condensed to 56 games due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
August 10, 2021: Death of Tony Esposito
Tony Esposito died on August 10, 2021. For the entire 2021–22 season, on both the home and away uniforms, the Blackhawks wore memorial patches in remembrance of Tony Esposito.
October 26, 2021: Bowman and MacIsaac Resign After Report Release
On October 26, 2021, Stan Bowman and Al MacIsaac resigned from the Blackhawks following the release of a report detailing the team's handling of sexual assault allegations against Brad Aldrich. The NHL also fined the Blackhawks $2 million.
2021: Jeremy Colliton Fired
In 2021, Jeremy Colliton was fired as head coach of the Blackhawks after a poor start to the season.
2021: Introduction of Adidas ADIZERO Primegreen Authentic Template
Starting with the 2021-22 NHL regular season, Adidas introduced new environmentally-friendly uniforms for all teams using its Adidas ADIZERO Primegreen Authentic template, made with a minimum of 50% recycled content.
March 1, 2022: Kyle Davidson Named General Manager
On March 1, 2022, Kyle Davidson was formally named the general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks.
June 27, 2022: Luke Richardson Named Head Coach
On June 27, 2022, Luke Richardson was named the 40th head coach in Chicago Blackhawks franchise history.
2022: Second "Reverse Retro" Uniform
A second "Reverse Retro" uniform was released in the 2022-23 season, based on the Blackhawks' 1938 uniform.
July 2023: Danny Wirtz named chairman
In July 2023, Danny Wirtz was named chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks following the death of his father, Rocky Wirtz.
July 25, 2023: Death of Rocky Wirtz
Rocky Wirtz passed away unexpectedly on July 25, 2023, at the age of 70.
2023: Patrick Kane Traded to Coyotes
In 2023, Patrick Kane was traded to the Arizona Coyotes and then later sent to the New York Rangers as part of a three-team trade.
2023: Blackhawks Win Draft Lottery and Draft Connor Bedard
In 2023, the Blackhawks won the NHL draft lottery and selected Connor Bedard as the first overall pick. The team also acquired veteran players such as Taylor Hall and Corey Perry.
June 5, 2024: Blackhawks join Chicago Sports Network
On June 5, 2024, the Blackhawks, along with the Bulls and White Sox, announced they would join the newly established Chicago Sports Network.
June 2024: Circa Sports Partnership Announced
In June 2024, the Blackhawks announced a multi-year partnership with Circa Sports, making them the official jersey patch sponsor for the team's home red uniforms.
December 5, 2024: Luke Richardson Fired
On December 5, 2024, the Blackhawks fired Luke Richardson after a poor start to the 2024-25 season, and named Anders Sorensen as interim head coach.
2024: Rick Ball and John Wiedeman as Play-by-play Callers
As of the 2024–25 season, Rick Ball and John Wiedeman are the play-by-play callers on television and radio, respectively.
2025: Black Hawks poorest regular season record
As of 2025, the 1937–38 Black Hawks possess the poorest regular season record of any Stanley Cup champion.
2025: 2025 Winter Classic Uniform
For the 2025 Winter Classic, the Blackhawks wore retro-inspired red uniforms, which incorporated a lace-up collar, the current Blackhawks logo inside a black roundel, the team name on top, the city name at the bottom and alternating black and white chest and sleeve striping based on the current red uniform's tail striping, and the back cream numbers featured subtle pinstripes as homage to Wrigley Field's main tenants, the Chicago Cubs.
2025: Centennial Season Uniform Modifications
For the Blackhawks' 2025-26 centennial season, they modified their current red home uniforms by adding lace-up collars and gold trim around the crest and back numbers. The 100th anniversary patch replaced the "crossing tomahawks" patch on the right shoulder.
2025: Blackhawks Ice Center expansion announced
In 2025, an expansion was announced for the Blackhawks Ice Center.
2025: Future Draft Pick
In 2025, the Blackhawks received a conditional fourth-round pick from the Rangers to complete the trade for Patrick Kane.
January 2026: Blackhawks Ice Center expansion completed
In January 2026, the expansion of the Blackhawks Ice Center was completed, adding two new ice rinks and increasing the total size to 250,000 square feet.
April 17, 2026: Content update
The content was updated on April 17, 2026.
2026: Acquisition of Future Draft Pick
In 2026, the Blackhawks acquired a second-round draft pick from the New York Islanders.
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