Ben Pope
Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago, IL, United States
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Past articles by Ben:
Connor Bedard dominates with highlight-reel hat trick as Blackhawks prospects rout Blues
Bedard had been craving a chance to simply play hockey again. When he finally got his chance Saturday, he scored three goals — all on ridiculously quick, accurate shots — in a 5-0 Hawks win. → Read More
Even with Connor Bedard, Blackhawks likely to be one of NHL’s worst teams again this season
Bedard’s arrival and a loaded prospect pool has shrouded the reality that the Hawks’ record probably won’t be much better in 2023-24 than it was in 2022-23. Preseason gambling lines forecast the Hawks to be the NHL’s third-worst team. → Read More
Wyatt Kaiser’s push for NHL roster spot begins in Blackhawks prospect camp
The Hawks opened prospect camp Wednesday, a week ahead of the start of main training camp. Kaiser and top prospects Connor Bedard and Kevin Korchinski headline the group. → Read More
Blackhawks expect another attendance bump thanks to ‘Bedard Effect’
The Hawks expect their average attendance — which was 17,167 last season — to marginally increase again this season, with at least five games sold out. Their marketing campaign will also focus on the fan base. → Read More
Danny Wirtz is officially Blackhawks’ new chairman: ‘Now it’s my turn’
Danny becomes the fourth Wirtz to lead the Hawks after the death of his father, Rocky, in July. But he doesn’t expect many tangible changes to result from the addition of chairman to his preexisting CEO title. → Read More
Blackhawks’ coaching, front-office changes headlined by new trainer Joe Huff
Huff, who was previously the Ducks’ trainer, replaces Mike Gapski, who retired in April after 36 years. Huff is one of many additions across many departments made by the Hawks this summer. → Read More
Blackhawks to retire Chris Chelios’ No. 7 after establishing new jersey retirement standards
Chelios will be honored on Feb. 25 against the Red Wings, the other team with which he spent the bulk of his career. Brent Seabrook, who more recently wore No. 7 for the Hawks, won’t be eligible for jersey retirement until 2027 under the team’s new standards. → Read More
Cole Guttman ready for Blackhawks training camp after recovering from shoulder surgery
Before the surgery in March, Guttman’s separation speed, faceoff ability and productivity impressed the Hawks at the AHL and NHL levels. He’ll be particularly interesting to watch in camp starting Sept. 21. → Read More
Seth Jones changing stick flex, offensive approach heading into third Blackhawks season
As slap shots decline in prevalence around the NHL, Jones has yet again shifted to a whippier stick better suited for wrist shots. That’s one of several interesting storylines from his 2023 offseason. → Read More
Blackhawks’ Nick Foligno excited to support Chicago children’s hospitals through his foundation
Foligno’s foundation, The Heart’s Playbook, funds research and provides support and outreach for children — like his daughter Milana — born with congenital heart defects. Hawks GM Kyle Davidson, who was also born with a heart defect, is one of many excited to see the foundation bring its impacts to Chicago. → Read More
Jonathan Toews taking ‘time away’ from hockey but not officially retiring
Toews suggested Thursday he won’t play in the NHL in 2023-24. The legendary Hawks forward — now a free agent — plans to give himself “the time and space to fully heal and enjoy life to the fullest once again.” → Read More
Projecting Connor Bedard’s point production as a Blackhawks rookie
Historical precedents set by other No. 1 overall picks suggest 63 to 72 points to be a reasonable over-under line for Bedard — but that’s assuming he stays healthy for the full season. → Read More
Blackhawks players, alumni, fans recall Rocky Wirtz’s amicability at public memorial
Brent Seabrook, Marian Hossa, Chris Chelios, Pat Foley, Darren Pang and others recounted stories Wednesday at the United Center to eulogize Wirtz, the late Hawks chairman. → Read More
Ranking the Blackhawks’ top 20 prospects entering the 2023-24 season
Connor Bedard is an obvious choice for No. 1, although he won’t be a prospect for long. After him, Kevin Korchinski, Oliver Moore and Frank Nazar headline an increasingly talented list. → Read More
Rocky Wirtz built legacy as conductor of Blackhawks’ late-2000s turnaround
Wirtz spent 16 years as Hawks chairman before his abrupt death Tuesday, but the decisions he made within his first three years — which changed the Hawks from dysfunctional to dominant — stand out as his finest. → Read More
Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz dies at 70
Wirtz, who died Tuesday in Evanston after a brief illness, made a dynasty out of the Hawks. His investment on and off the ice after taking over in 2007 led to three Stanley Cups and a tremendous surge in popularity. But the Hawks’ sexual assault scandal complicated his legacy. → Read More
Arbitrator awards Blackhawks’ Philipp Kurashev new two-year contract
Kurashev’s deal will carry a $2.25 million salary-cap hit, representing a big raise over his $750,000 cap hit last season. → Read More
Ryan Donato ready to ‘fill whatever role necessary’ in Blackhawks’ forward lineup
While bouncing from the Bruins to Wild to Sharks to Kraken, Donato has gained a versatility that appealed to the Hawks in free agency this summer. He has maintained steady offensive production, too. → Read More
Blackhawks sign Connor Bedard to entry-level contract on 18th birthday
The Hawks would be wise to take advantage of Bedard’s mere $950,000 base salary-cap hit for the next three years. Performance bonuses, however, could net Bedard up to $4.5 million. → Read More
Why Blackhawks relinquished Kane, Toews’ leadership but wanted Foligno, Perry’s leadership
Kyle Davidson has argued that Kane and Toews’ presences were so enormous that they inadvertently prevented any young Hawks players from growing into leaders themselves. → Read More