Chicago Blackhawks Owner To Discusses Family Business In Winnetka

WINNETKA-GLENCOE, IL - From The Book Stall: Join us at The Book Stall (811 Elm Street in Winnetka, IL) at 6:30 PM on Thursday, January 17th, 2019, as Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz and Hockey Hall of Famer Tony Esposito discuss and sign copies of The Breakaway: The Inside Story of the Wirtz Family Business and the Chicago Blackhawks. Please note that Mr. Wirtz and Mr. Esposito will only sign copies of The Breakaway, not any other hockey memorabilia. While this is a free event, we ask that you buy your copy of The Breakaway at The Book Stall if you intend on entering the book-signing queue.

When Rocky Wirtz took over the Wirtz Corporation in 2007, the fiercely beloved Chicago Blackhawk hockey team were chronic losers playing to a deserted stadium. ESPN named the franchise the worst in all of sports. Rocky's resurrection of the team's fortunes was—publicly, at least—a feel-good tale of shrewd acumen. Behind the scenes, however, it would trigger a father, son, and brother-against-brother drama of Shakespearean proportions. The Breakaway, written with Mr. Wirtz's input and cooperation, reveals that untold story.

Wirtz oversees Wirtz Corporation's commercial and residential real estate companies, wine distributor Wirtz Beverage Group, an insurance company, and banks in Illinois and Florida. Wirtz is also half-owner of the Blackhawks' home arena, the United Center, along with Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf. He and Reinsdorf are co-chairmen of the arena's Executive Committee. Mr. Wirtz graduated from North Shore Country Day School and Northwestern University.

Author Bryan Smith is a senior writer at Chicago magazine and a contributing editor for Men's Health. A two-time winner and six-time finalist for the National City and Regional Magazine Association's Writer of the Year award, his work has been featured in The Best American Sports Writing, The Best American Newspaper Writing, and the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

Anthony James "Tony O" Esposito is a retired Canadian-American professional ice hockey goaltender, who played in the National Hockey League, most notably for the Chicago Black Hawks. He was one of the pioneers of the now popular butterfly style. Tony is the younger brother of Phil Esposito, a center. In 2017 Esposito was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history.

For more information on this event, or to reserve a signed copy of The Breakaway, please reach out to The Book Stall, 847-446-8880, events@thebookstall.com.

Photo caption: Chicago Blackhawks Owner Rocky Wirtz celebrates 2015 Stanley Cup win on June 15, 2015 at the United Center in Chicago.

Photo courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images