Hawks frenzy builds in Chicago
Hockey keeps heating up in Chicago, which will officially announce its Winter Classic in Wrigley Field with a press conference Tuesday. Over the weekend, in the middle of Cubs frenzy, there were more than 8,000 Blackhawks fans at the Chicago Hilton for the inaugural summer Blackhawks Convention. Perhaps you think that's a puny number compared to what we might have in Buffalo for a simliar event, but let's just say hockey hasn't been on the front burner in the Windy City for a long time.
You can look at a great photo gallery of the convention here.
And click here for some neat videos, parts of which are hosted by Buffalo native Patrick Kane and Brian Campbell. The ex-Sabre got a huge reception when introduced from the balcony of the vast Hilton ballroom.
The collection includes a great video of last year's Winter Classic as well, showing clips from the worldwide media reaction to the Sabres-Penguins game at the Ralph.
---Mike Harrington
So let me get this straight, Lockport Lloydie, the Sabres should trade for a yet another young and small forward, and a RW no less, a position we have almost too much depth at, and a guy who has clearly stated how much he's always wanted to play for the Rangers, and I'm sure returning to Buffalo would really bring out his best. Yes. That's the way to build a WINNER.
Posted by: Anne | July 21, 2008 at 11:34 PM
Buffalo needs to build a WINNER. The fans are going to stop paying if we don't see a WINNER. The Blackhawks are building a WINNER. Regier needs to make trades for Drury and Kane to reinvigorate the team and build a WINNER! If not, the fans will speak up and he will be FIRED!
Did you hear that, Tommy G? HOP TO IT!!!
Posted by: Lockport Lloydie | July 21, 2008 at 09:03 PM
The first time I ever noticed Kane be referred to as "Pete" or maybe he's just saying "P" was in his self introduction before the Young Stars game this year: http://youtube.com/watch?v=x5HYP58vM04 but that's the first place I've ever heard it.
Posted by: Anne | July 21, 2008 at 08:42 PM
Yep. It's important for the Hawks to be relevant again. I want to boo Campbell but it's hard because you're cheering so hard for Kane. Great Ice Bowl video too
Posted by: Tom-Tonawanda | July 21, 2008 at 05:59 PM
Can someone please, please, please tell me why people call Patrick Kane "Peter"? I've heard that before and Toews does it in one of these videos. I'm sure it's some kind of inside thing, but I need an explanation.
Also, if I boo loud enough, Campbell will hear me through my computer, right?
(It is nice to see the Blackhawks become relevant again.)
Posted by: Heather B. | July 21, 2008 at 05:31 PM
I just came back from Chicago and let me tell you hard Blackhawks merchandise is to come across. Baseball and football reign supreme and basketball and hockey (especially hockey) are relegated to the back of the store where only diehards go. Its good to see that hockey is starting to make a comeback in an original 6 city.
Posted by: Anne | July 21, 2008 at 05:13 PM