Chicago Blackhawks keeping their name
While the National Hockey League has yet to re-start the 2019-2020 season after suspending play in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has still been plenty of news made off the ice. With most of the league focusing on resumption of play plans, the Chicago Blackhawks have been forced to defend their team name, logo and history.
There has been a renewed sense of pressure under the current political landscape for professional sports franchises to review their team names and brands. Both the National Football League’s Washington Redskins and Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Indians have been feeling the heat when it comes to their team names and logos. Even the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League have had to come out and release a statement. All three have made headlines in the past for being controversial but the call has never been stronger for the teams to change their names.
Sponsors have already started to pull out of supporting both the Redskins and Indians, but the Blackhawks believe they are not in the same situation. Their name is a tribute.
“The Chicago Blackhawks name and logo symbolizes an important and historic person, Black Hawk of Illinois’ Sac & Fox Nation, whose leadership and life has inspired generations of Native Americans, veterans and the public,” the NHL team said in a statement Tuesday.
“We celebrate Black Hawk’s legacy by offering ongoing reverent examples of Native American culture, traditions and contributions, providing a platform for genuine dialogue with local and national Native American groups. As the team’s popularity grew over the past decade, so did that platform and our work with these important organizations.
“We recognize there is a fine line between respect and disrespect, and we commend other teams for their willingness to engage in that conversation. Moving forward, we are committed to raising the bar even higher to expand awareness of Black Hawk and the important contributions of all Native American people. “
Chicago is one of the NHL’s original six franchises and has been playing in the league since 1926 along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings. The team had originally spelt its name as the Black Hawks but changed it in 1986.
Prior to play being halted, the Blackhawks were struggling on the ice as they sit dead last in the Central Division with just 72 points from 70 games played. However, due to the pandemic and suspension of the season, the league has been forced to alter its playoff structure. Normally, eight teams in each conference reach the playoffs and every round is a best-of-seven series.
This year though, there will be 12 teams reaching the playoffs with the top four in each conference not having to play in the opening best-of-five play-in round. As a result, Chicago is the last team in the Western Conference to qualify for the playoffs as they currently sit 12th overall in the conference. They are scheduled to take on the Edmonton Oilers in the play-in round.
The Blackhawks have won a total of six Stanley Cups in their history, with three coming since the 2009-10 season.
