The Chicago Blackhawks
are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Chicago Blackhawks joined the NHL in 1926 as part of the league's first wave of expansion into the United States. They were one of three American teams added that year, along with the Detroit Cougars (now the Detroit Red Wings) and New York Rangers.The Blackhawks' first owner, coffee tycoon Frederic McLaughlin, had been a commander with the 333rd Machine Gun Battalion of the 86th Infantry Division during World War I. This Division was nicknamed the "Blackhawk Division", after a Native American of the Sauk nation, Chief Black Hawk, who was a prominent figure in the history of Illinois.
McLaughlin named the hockey team in honor of the military unit.
The team name was alternately written "Black Hawks" and "Blackhawks" and in 1986 when the club officially decided on the one-word version based on the spelling found in the original franchise documents.
NHL Stanley Cup Champions 2009-2010: Chicago Blackhawks
NHL: Chicago Blackhawks - Great Moments and Classic Games DVD
Blackhawk Recollections: 86th Infantry Division Members Remember
My grandfather was a fellow officer in the 86th. during WWI. To honor him and the 86th legacy with the team my jersey has "INFANTRY 86" and the unit patch on the front. Wish the team would do more to bring this great story to the fan base.
ReplyDelete