If you listen closely, you can still hear the cheers echoing through the streets of downtown Chicago as die-hard Blackhawks fans caught their first glimpse of the Stanley Cup at the victory parade. 

It has been over three months since Patrick Kane scored the game-winning goal in overtime of Game 6 against the Philadelphia Flyers. It was a long road for the Blackhawks in 2009-2010, but in the end they proved they were the best team in the NHL and brought Lord Stanley’s Cup back to Chicago for the first time since 1961.

As the ice melted and the hot summer rolled through Chicago, many key players from that championship Hawks team packed up their skates and said goodbye to the Windy City.
Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd and Kris Versteeg were all traded. Goalie, Antti Niemi, who had an unbelievable postseason, could not get on the same page as the organization with a new contract and signed with the San Jose Sharks.

Yes, these players were all very important in the Blackhawks Stanley Cup run last season, but there is no need to panic because the future looks very bright for this young and talented Hawks team.

One of the Hawks’ biggest offseason acquisitions was veteran goalie, Marty Turco. He should be a very good replacement for Niemi seeing as he had a .913 save percentage compared to Niemi’s .912 last season.

Through a series of trades and the blossoming of some youngsters in the Blackhawks organization, they added a lot of talent to their already strong core. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa, Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith will be around for years to come.
Hawks fans are very familiar with those names, but there will be some new names they are going to hear a lot as well.

Jack Skille, Jake Dowell and Brian Bickell are all forwards that have been with the Hawks for some time. These three are very talented players who have a chance to really break through this year. Some of the new guys that have been impressive in training camp are forwards Igor Makarov and Viktor Stalberg. Learn how to pronounce these names Hawks fans because you will be talking about these guys a lot this season.

With the new mix of talent and returning players that we already know, the defending champs are in good shape for this season.

Earlier this month the Blackhawks also resigned head coach Joel Quenneville to a three-year extension.  

All summer long Chicago has been celebrating the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup win. Most fans are still celebrating.  As for the players though celebrating is over. It is that time again to lace up the skates, tape up the sticks and get back on the ice.

For the first time in months, a chill from the ice blows through the United Center. That’s right its time for hockey.

Preseason is under way in the NHL, celebrating is over for the Hawks and it’s back to business.
The Stanley Cup meant so much for the city of Chicago, but the only thing the Blackhawks should be thinking about now is the 2010-2011 season.

So far the Hawks are 1-2 this preseason, but they have four games between now and Oct. 7, when they open the regular season in Colorado to face the Avalanche.

For most of the decade the Blackhawks were at the basement of the NHL, but within the last three years they have made what some call the greatest turn around in sports history. After bringing the Stanley Cup back home to Chicago, the Hawks are now on top of the world of hockey.

The Blackhawks are truly a special team. Great management, coaching and talent in the past few years have made them a force in the NHL. Last year was not a lucky year, and the Hawks proved they have the best team in hockey.

The Blackhawks are a dynasty in the making and after a long time at the bottom of the NHL, they will be spending a lot of time at the top.