The Network has covered numerous Blackhawks games since the 2008 Season.
By Anthony Pellegrino @apelle50 IceInsider.com Founder/Owner
BOSTON--Broadcasting Blackhawks games since 2008, when late Blackhawks Owner Rocky Wirtz took over the team when his father Bill Wirtz passed away. Lifing his father’s ban on home games to promote ticket sales, home games were televised between CSN Chicago (Now NBC Sports Chicago), and WGN TV. The company is named Comcast Sportsnet Chicago following accusation rights, from 2012 to 2016. After Comcast, in 2017 the company rebranded to NBC Sports Chicago as part of a large rebrand in the company, from 2017 until this year, 2024.
For the fans: The network brought three iconic Stanley Cups to your homes. Seventeen seasons of Blackhawks hockey aired on the network. Every season of Patrick Kane's Blackhawks career aired, excluding his debut season. Chris Boden served as the initial studio host from 2009 to 2011. Since then, Blackhawks Icon Pat Boyle has covered the role. Boyle has become a regular face in almost all 82 pre and postgame coverages for viewers.
The company has covered over 1,100 regular-season Blackhawks games. Throughout thirteen NHL seasons, covering roughly 1,400 Pre and Post-game broadcasts.
Heading into the 2024-2025 season, the Blackhawks will merge with the Chicago Bulls, and White Sox for Chicago Sports Network. Pat Boyle is slated to remain the studio host. Accompanied part-time by Cailey Chelios and Genna Rose.
To NBC Sports: Thank you. As a fan myself growing up, along with plenty of Hawks fans, we know “the song” that opened Blackhawks broadcasts. To me, it meant Corey Crawford was in goal. Thank you.
NBC Sports Chicago will officially come to a close, on October first, 2024.