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Danny Wirtz

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Danny Wirtz
Born
Daniel Wirtz

1977 (1977)[1]
NationalityAmerican
Alma materBoston College
Occupation(s)Chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks
President of Wirtz Corporation
SpouseAnne Wirtz
Children2
FamilyRocky Wirtz (father)
Bill Wirtz (grandfather)
Arthur Wirtz (great grandfather)

Daniel Wirtz (born 1977) is an American businessman who is the owner and chairman of the Wirtz Corporation, a Chicago-based holding company that owns the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League, oversees real estate properties across the Chicago area, and manages one of the largest liquor distribution companies in the United States.[2] He is the son of Rocky Wirtz, and inherited the Wirtz Corporation from his father, who died in 2023. Wirtz is the fourth generation of the family to own the Blackhawks, and the sixth principal owner in franchise history.

Early life

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Wirtz grew up in Winnetka, Illinois.[3] His father, Rocky Wirtz, his grandfather Bill, and great-grandfather Arthur were all entrepreneurs who owned the Chicago Blackhawks.[4] Wirtz went to high school at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois. He was the starting goaltender for the school's varsity ice hockey team and won a state championship as a senior in 1995.[5][6] He then attended Boston College.[3] Upon graduation, Wirtz initially wished to pursue a career in music, entertainment, and marketing rather than working for the Wirtz Corporation.[3] Wirtz is fan of Ministry, and would often send Al Jourgensen tickets to Blackhawks home games.[7] Jourgensen hired Wirtz as his personal assistant, roadie, and guitar tech while the band was touring in 1999.[8][7][9] The two remained close friends,[10] with Jourgensen writing the song "Keys to City" as a gift to the Wirtz family.[11]

Executive career

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Wirtz became more involved in his family's business following his grandfather's death in 2007.[3] He assisted in operating many of Wirtz Corporation's holdings, including Breakthru Beverage, Wirtz Realty and banking interests.[1] He eventually became vice president of the Blackhawks and alternate Governor to the NHL, while also serving as active advisor for the Blackhawks.[1] Outside of the Wirtz Corporation, Wirtz co-founded Banner Collective, a production company, in 2013,[12] and joined Varyer, an advertising agency, as a partner in 2018.[1][13]

He became the interim president of the Blackhawks following the dismissal of John McDonough in April 2020. Wirtz became the chief executive officer of the Blackhawks in December.[14]

Wirtz became the owner and chairman of the Wirtz Corporation in July 2023 following his father's death.[15] In one of his first moves as chairman, he purchased the Chicago Steel of the USHL on August 1.[16]

Wirtz was named co-chairman of the Breakthru Beverage Group on August 28.[17]

Personal life

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Wirtz, and his wife, Anne, have two daughters: Rosemary and Juniper.[18] Wirtz describes music as his "balancing piece" and is an avid concertgoer.[19]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "RELEASE: Blackhawks Release John McDonough". NHL. April 27, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  2. ^ "Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz to succeed late father as Wirtz Corp. Chair & President". Sports Business Journal. August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Trotter, Greg (August 10, 2016). "Booze, not Blackhawks, built Wirtz wealth; grandson helps lead evolving firm". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  4. ^ Daniels, Steve (July 31, 2023). "Danny Wirtz succeeds late father Rocky atop Wirtz Corp". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  5. ^ Kapos, Shia (June 4, 2012). "Danny Wirtz, son of the Blackhawks CEO, moves up in the family business". Crain's Chicago Business. Archived from the original on 2012-06-07. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  6. ^ Ross, Forman (June 27, 2023). "Danny Wirtz preps for NHL Draft, reflects on Illinois High School Hockey State Championship". Amateur Hockey Association Illinois. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Jourgensen, Al (September 8, 2015). "The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste". Ministry: The Lost Gospels According (1 ed.). Da Capo Press. p. 108. ISBN 978-0306824630. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023.
  8. ^ Thompson, Phil (October 17, 2023). "'He helped push me to trust my gut.' Danny Wirtz on how Rocky prepared him to lead the Chicago Blackhawks". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  9. ^ Perkins, Tom (October 18, 2017). "Ministry's Al Jourgensen on how to avoid the 'corn dog circuit'". Metro Times. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  10. ^ Simms, Kelley (March 24, 2018). "Cover Story: Ministry [Updated]". Illinois Entertainer. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  11. ^ Norton, Justin (July 31, 2013). "Exclusive Interview: Ministry's Al Jourgensen on His Memoir, Hockey, and Hanging with Republican Neighbors". MetalSucks. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  12. ^ Lazare, Lewis (February 27, 2013). "Chicago Blackhawks in-house video team form new company". Chicago Business Journal. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  13. ^ Powers, Scott (April 28, 2020). "What I'm hearing about the Blackhawks as a team president search begins". The Athletic. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  14. ^ Thompson, Phil (December 16, 2020). "Stan Bowman elevated to president of hockey operations as the Chicago Blackhawks unveil a new 'vision' with Danny Wirtz as CEO and Jaime Faulkner in charge of business operations". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  15. ^ Carlson, Matt (July 30, 2023). "Danny Wirtz: Next In Line As Chicago Blackhawks Top Boss". The Hockey News. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  16. ^ "USHL's Chicago Steel announce ownership sale to Wirtz Corporation". TSN. July 31, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  17. ^ "Danny Wirtz Elevated to Co-Chairman of Breakthru Beverage Group". Wine Industry Advisor. August 28, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  18. ^ "DANNY WIRTZ - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER". NHL. July 31, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  19. ^ Frost, Peter (2016). "40 under 40: Danny Wirtz". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
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