Rocky Wirtz Brings Stanley Cup Home to Winnetka

About 2,500 people were at Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz’ Winnetka home on Sunday to chat and take pictures with the Stanley Cup, which Wirtz picked up from the airport in Wheeling early that morning.

The full-day party included a visit to the Winnetka Fire Department and reception at the North Shore Country Club, according to the Winnetka Talk.

“I’ve lived in Winnetka all my life,” Wirtz said. “I just wanted to say thanks and share the cup with them.”

Related: Stanley Cup Made Appearance at Evanston Hospital

The cup came to Winnetka one day after a subdued celebration with right winger Patrick Kane at his home in suburban Buffalo, N.Y. Kane, who is reportedly the subject of a rape investigation in his hometown of Hamburg, had plans to take the Cup to a women and children’s hospital, pizza place and bar. But amid the investigation, he cancelled all those events.

“We’re disappointed, but hopeful,” Wirtz said of the Kane situation. “Beyond that, it would not be appropriate to expound upon.”

But the Kane controversy did not deter the celebration in Winnetka, where 500 people first greeted the Cup at the Winnetka Fire Department Sunday morning.

“I think we try people as guilty until they’re proven innocent,” said Steve Dale, who saw the Cup at Wirtz’s home. “We need to know more. I don’t know how anyone can comment on what they don’t know.”

Wirtz provided every attendee at his home a championship locker room hat, team photo and picture with the Cup.

Police Chief Patrick Kreis and Fire Chief Alan Berkowsky surprised him with a custom-made Blackhawks sign featuring the logos of both departments and the Chicago skyline.

Photo: NorthShore University Health System, from when Wirtz brought the Cup to Evanston Hospital.

more via the Winnetka Talk