Recently, it was announced that the Blackhawks would be playing the Detroit Red Wings on New Years Day in ‘the friendly confines’ of Wrigley Field.  A friend of mine put it best.  He referred to this game as ‘Heaven froze over’.  It has such a beautiful ring to it…..Hawks/Wings (2 of the original 6) playing New Years Day in Wrigley Field.  Let me set the scene……It’s New Years Day and Wrigleyville is packed with bundled hockey fans.  The Cubby Bear is bumpin like it’s Cubs/Sox weekend on the North Side.  The streets are lined with vendors selling red sweaters instead of blue t-shirts.  Patrick Kane is the new Aramis Ramirez on this day.  The rooftops grills are at full roar.  As you peer into Wrigley, you notice the field is White with snow and ice.  The green grass, usually covered by the men in blue, is now frozen and is anxiously waiting for two hockey traditions to collide.  It’s Blackhawk hockey, reborn at Wrigley Field.

Now that we’ve painted the picture, the the real question is when do tickets go on sale?  I will vigorously try to get tickets for that game.  In fact i plan to employ a team to secure a few seats in heaven.  Growing up as a kid, hockey was one of the first sports exposed to me.  Being that my Grandfather was born in Canada and migrated to the States when my Dad was a wee little guy, hockey is in my blood.  Unfortunately, some time around my mid teen years i lost my lust for the sport.  Perhaps it had something to do with the Blackhawks.  The once proud franchise was a cellar dweller through my high school years.  In fact, owner Bill Wirtz wouldn’t even allow games to be aired on local TV.  Recently, Mr. Wirtz passed away and his son Rocky took over.  Rocky’s first move was to hire Jon McDonough away from the Cubs.  Thankfully, they realized it was high time to bring hockey back to life.  With the resurgence of the Blackhawks, my love for the game is gaining momentum.  My Christmas wish for ‘08 is a red sweater with Mr. Blackhawk himself firmly planted on my chest.  Mr (Rocky) Wirtz, thanks for making hockey fun again in Chicago.  My grandpa would be proud of your efforts to put the hawks back on TV.  My dad recently told me a story about growing up in the region.  The Hawks weren’t always on TV in Chicago.  Fortunately they were able to pick up the signal from South Bend stations.  For three hours a night, a few times a week, it was hockey night in the MacLean household and the Hawks were the main attraction.  After several years of blacked out Hawks games, they’re back.  With that, hockey night is back in the MacLean household.  This time I’ll be the one carrying on the tradition……Grandpa Mac would be proud!