Remember the era when the Blackhawks wouldn't televise home games?
↵↵That ended with the death of "Dollar Bill" Wirtz -- his son Rocky, now head of the team, opened up home games to TV, and inked WGN-TV to a deal to carry some of the games beginning with the 2008-09 season. Unlike the Bulls, Cubs and White Sox games carried on WGN, though, Blackhawks games are not seen on WGN America, only in Chicago.
↵↵Today, the Blackhawks announced that they have extended their contract with WGN-TV for five more seasons, through the 2015-16 season.
↵↵“The Chicago Blackhawks are very proud of our association with WGN-TV,†said Blackhawks President John McDonough. “They represent the finest local sports programming in America and this extension is another step forward for our franchise.â€
↵↵"We're proud to continue this great partnership with the Blackhawks on WGN-TV, where Chicago's Very Own plays," said Marty Wilke, VP/General Manager of WGN-TV/CLTV. "Our viewers will get more of what they want and it's clear they love their Chicago Blackhawks."
↵↵The next Blackhawks telecast on WGN-TV is a Presidents' Day matinee, at 1 p.m. CST, Monday, Feb. 21 at St. Louis.