Early Years
In 1926 the Chicago Blackhawks (Formerly known Black Hawks until 1986) became the second American team to join the NHL. The late 1920s were not kind finishing last in 2 of their first 4 seasons. In consecutive seasons the Blackhawks allowed the most goals to be scored by a team in a season. In 1936 the Blackhawks would be the first team to play with American born players only and finished with the worst record in the league. The next season the Blackhawks would do the unthinkable and win the Stanley Cup after posting a 14-25-9 record.
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Chicago's original logo (1927-1935)
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Original Six Era
The Blackhawks would be one of the most inconsistent teams in the first 16 years of the Original Six era finishing in last place 8 times in that span. In 1958 both Bobby Hull and Glen Hall made their NHL debuts for the Blackhawks and finally aren't the last place team but still miss the playoffs. The next season Stan Mikita would make his Blackhawks debut and would make the playoffs. In the 1960-61 season, the Blackhawks would finish with a winning record for the first time in 15 years. The Blackhawks would be a contending playoff team for the remainder of the Original Six.
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Chicago's first Original Six logo (1942-1955)
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Greatest Players
1. Offense: Stan Mikita: Stan Mikita (1959-1980) is the Blackhawks all-time leader in points (1,467) and assists (926) and most games played (1,396). Stan Mikita played 22 years all for the Blackhawks helping them win a Stanley Cup in 1961 along with Bobby Hull and Pierre Pilote. In his 22 year career, Mikita would win four scoring titles two Lady Byng awards (most sportsmanlike player) and 2 Hart Trophies (Most Valuable Player). Mikita scored 541 goals second to only Bobby Hull with 610.
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2. Offense: Bobby Hull: Bobby Hull (1958-1972) is one of the greatest offense-men of all-time. Hull is the Blackhawks all-time leader in goals with 610. Hull was a prolific goal scorer winning 3 scoring titles, became the first player to score 50 goals in a single season and led the NHL in goals 7 times. Hull helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961 along with Stan Mikita and Pierre Pilote.
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3. Defense: Pierre Pilote Pierre Pilote (1955-1968) was one of the greatest defensemen of his generation. Pilote was a 3 time James Norris award (best defenseman), winner and a Stanley Cup champion in 1961. Pilote was a bruising player willing to fight anyone up to the challenge and would gain a lot of penalty minutes for it. From 1961-1968 Pilote was the captain of the Blackhawks for seven years a record that would stand until Johnathan Toews broke that record in the 2016-17 season.
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4. Defense: Chris Chelios: Chris Chelios (1990-1999) played for the Blackhawks from 1990-1999 winning 2 Norris Trophies in his time with Chicago. Chelios was a very aggressive madman willing to take a penalty because of this people were terrified of him. Chelios led the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup in 1993 but fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 4 games. Chris Chelios was an offensive-minded defender that could kill you on both ends of the ice At the age of 37, the Blackhawks traded Chelios to the Detroit Redwings
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5. Goalie: Tony Esposito: Tony Esposito (1970-1984) is the younger brother of Boston great Phil Esposito and spent part of his career living in his shadow. In his rookie year, Esposito set the modern era NHL record shutouts by a goalie with 15 in 1969 (that still holds today) he would go on to win the Calder Cup (Best rookie) and the Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie) that year. Esposito would take the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup on 2 separate occasions but come up just short both times. Esposito is the Blackhawks all-time leader in almost every category for a goalie such as wins (418), Shutouts (74), and point shares (176.5).
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Stanley Cup Wins
The Blackhawks have won the Stanley Cup a total of six times since they were founded in 1926. 1933-34, 1937-38, 1960-61, 2009-10, 2012-13, and 2014-15.