NHL Franchise Notes: Rocky Wirtz Leads Blackhawks' Resurgence

Rocky Wirtz Says Blackhawks' Success This Season Backs Up Marketing Efforts

HEART OF THE DISTRICT: In N.Y., Jeff Klein wrote the Capitals this season have "become a phenomenon" in DC, which "until recently was not known for its passion for hockey." It has become "commonplace to see people on city streets wearing Capitals gear." Average TV ratings during the regular season on CSN Mid-Atlantic were up 65% from the '07-08 season and 182% from the '06-07 campaign. Season tickets are sold out for next season at Verizon Center. Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said, "I used to see maybe 8,000 people in the building" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/18).

INTO THE WILD: In Minneapolis, Michael Russo wrote the Wild has "prided itself on stability, on being competitive annually, on having rabid fan support," but over time it has became a "conceited, glacial, uncreative organization." Wild Owner Craig Leipold decided that former President & GM Doug Risebrough's "this-is-how-we-do-it-and-trust-me-we-know-better-than-everybody attitude needed to go." With Leipold's decision not to renew Risebrough's contract, "every assumption about this organization has to be adjusted because with one move, Leipold has signaled it's time for a change." Leipold "took a huge risk." It might be the "right move, but it's still a risk" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/19).

PLAYOFF PAYOFF: Canadiens fan Marc Baran said when he ordered tickets to the team's playoff series against the Bruins at Bell Centre, it "would only give me the super fan option," which charged C$385.40 for two tickets in Section 408, normally priced at C$41 each, plus a jersey, brick, express delivery (C$285.90) and a Web convenience fee (C$17.50). When Baran complained to the Canadiens, the team agreed to cancel the order, but maintained that playoff tickets "only came with the jersey and the brick" (Montreal GAZETTE, 4/20).

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