Rocky Wirtz

Who was Rocky Wirtz?

William Rockwell "Rocky" Wirtz is the principal owner and chairman of the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks. He is also president of the Blackhawks' parent company, Wirtz Corporation, a diversified conglomerate headquartered in Chicago.

Rocky oversees Wirtz Corporation’s commercial and residential real estate companies, wine distributor Wirtz Beverage Group, an insurance company and banks in Illinois and Florida. Rocky is also half-owner of the Blackhawks' home arena, the United Center, along with Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf. He and Reinsdorf are co-chairmen of the arena's Executive Committee.

Rocky managed the Judge & Dolph, Ltd. liquor distributorship until October 2007. Shortly after the death of his father, William W. Wirtz, Rocky assumed control of the Blackhawks, as Rocky's brother, Peter Wirtz, decided to maintain Bismarck Enterprises in lieu of running the team.

Rocky graduated from North Shore Country Day School in 1971. In 1975, he graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications.