2000-2004 CCM and Koho
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Jerseys |
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Manufacturer: CCM and Koho
Material: Airknit Away/Home (Red): Steve Sullivan Size 48 Home/Away (White): Tony Amonte Size 52 Alternate (Black): Tuomo Ruutu Size 48 |
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Jersey History |
Pro Player up and vanished never to be heard from again. The Hockey Company (known as CCM at the time) would finally be able to grab a sweet league-wide deal to manufacture all teams jerseys. The CCM brand would be on all the white jerseys and their subsidiary brand Koho would be on all the dark and alternate jerseys. The jerseys still included reinforced elbows and a tie down fight strap. These jersey were also made of Airknit material and would go back to mirror the style and feel of the earlier 90's models, but would have larger sleeves. The silver NHL shield was kept on the back bottom right hem, but the CCM and Koho word-mark would be a patch sewn on the back neck area. The main logo was also tilted back to have the head looking up.
White
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Red
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Altnerate
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The tagging on the jersey is located on the back neck section for retail tagging and numerical size. A hip tag would show material. Game worn jerseys would not include the retail tags.
CCM Tag
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Koho Tag
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Hip Tag
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Authentics and replicas were sold at retail while game worn jerseys were sold at HawkQuarters. The third jerseys would keep on going these seasons and the shoulder patches would remain the same on all jerseys. The Hawks would wear their alternate jerseys only 15 times in 2000-01, 13 times in 2001-02, 14 times in 2002-03, and 13 times in 2003-04. In the 2003-04 season, the NHL would make a change in that the dark jersey was worn at home and the white was worn away. The NHL also did introduce a Vintage Jersey program in 2003-004, but only 7 teams participated. The Blackhawks did not participate but fans were still able to purchase the jersey that was styled after the 1991-92 TBTC jersey.
Multiple patches were worn during these jerseys' time. The 2000-2001 season was the Blackhawks 75th Anniversary. A commemorative patch would be worn on all jerseys for the entirety of the season. The Hawks would also wear another patch this season as they would play the Maple Leafs before the Hockey Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. These patches would only be worn for one game on their away (red) jerseys. In the 2001-02 season, the NHL would mandate each NHL team captain to wear a Hockey Fights Cancer for one game. This tradition would continue from 2000-01 to 2003-04 and then in 2007-08. Amonte would wear one in 2001 and Zhamnov would wear patches in 2002 and 2003.
Blackhawks 75th Anniversary
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Hockey Hall of Fame Game
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Hockey Fights Cancer 2001
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Hockey Fights Cancer 2002
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Hockey Fights Cancer 2003
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Team History |
2000-2001: The NHL expands again with the introduction of the Minnesota Wild and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Well let's just say things weren't getting better this season. Bob Pulford would step down from the head coaching position and Alpo Suhonen would take over. He would only coach one season as he resigned because of heart problems. With the Hawks still at the bottom of the NHL, they would trade Doug Gilmour to the Buffalo Sabres for JP Dumont and Michael Grosek. Tony Amonte would take up the captaincy this season as the Hawks finished the season 4th in the Central Division, 12th in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 29-40-8-5 (W-L-T-OTL). Season scoring was lead by Steve Sullivan with 75pts followed by Amonte (64pts), Michael Nylander (64pts), and Daze (57pts). The Hawks would yet again miss the post season. The dominant Colorado Avalanche would make the Stanley Cup Finals again beating the New Jersey Devils in 7 games.
2001-2002: On September 11th, 2001 the World Trade Centers in New York would be attacked. To honor the victims and first responders, the NHL would have all teams wear a patch and helmet sticker for the preseason. The Washington capitals would wear the patch throughout the entire season. With Alpo Suhonen stepping down after the last season, the Hawks would hire ex-Flames coach Brian Sutter. The Hawks would actually do well this season. Still led by Amonte the Hawks finished the season 3rd in the Central Division, 5th in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 41-27-13-1 (W-L-T-OTL). Season scoring was lead by Daze with 70pts followed by Zhamnov (67pts), Amonte (66pts), and Nylander (61pts). The Hawks would make the post season after a long hiatus but wouldn't make it past the first round as they lost to the Blues. The Red Wings would go on to the win the Stanley Cup beating the Carolina Hurricanes in 5 games.
2002-2003: Not much new this NHL season, but the Hawks would be on the decline once again. Amonte would be lost to free agency as he signs a four year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes. Alexei Zhamnov would be appointed the next captain. Still coached by Brian Sutter, the Hawks finished the season 3rd in the Central Division, 9th in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 30-33-13-6 (W-L-T-OTL). Season scoring was lead by Sullivan with 61pts followed by Zhamnov (58pts), Daze (44pts), and Kyle Calder (42pts). The Hawks would miss the post season. The New Jersey Devils would go on to beat the Mighty Ducks in the Stanley Cup Final in a heartbreaking game 7. Heartbreaking if you were a Mighty Ducks fan of course.
2003-2004: Jersey change up this season as the NHL would now have teams wear their colored jerseys at home and their white jerseys away. This is the second time the NHL would do this when they decided that the white jerseys would be the home jerseys after the 1969-70 season. The league also introduced the Vintage Jersey Program this season, but only the Bruins, Oilers, Kings, Rangers, Blues, Canucks, and Canadiens would participate. These teams would bring back older style jerseys worn for a select few games. This would be rock bottom for the Hawks, literally and figuratively. The Hawks would finish last in the NHL this season with only 20 wins. They would also be named by ESPN as the worst franchise in professional sports. That's all professional sports, not just the NHL. Zhamnov would also be traded midseason to the Philadelphia Flyers for Jim Vandermeer, Colin Fraser, and a 2nd round pick. The Hawks would be captainless for the rest of the season. Still coached by Brian Sutter and led by captain, for a bit, Alexei Zhamnov the Hawks finished the season 5th in the Central Division, 15th in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 20-43-11-8 (W-L-T-OTL). The Hawks would win something this year as Bryan Berard takes home the Masterton Trophy. Season scoring was lead by Tyler Arnason with 55pts followed by Bryan Berard (47pts), Mark Bell (45pts), and Tuomo Ruutu (44pts). The Hawks would yet again miss the post season by about 100 miles. In a surprise showdown, the Calgary Flames would face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Lightning clinching their first cup in 7 games.
2001-2002: On September 11th, 2001 the World Trade Centers in New York would be attacked. To honor the victims and first responders, the NHL would have all teams wear a patch and helmet sticker for the preseason. The Washington capitals would wear the patch throughout the entire season. With Alpo Suhonen stepping down after the last season, the Hawks would hire ex-Flames coach Brian Sutter. The Hawks would actually do well this season. Still led by Amonte the Hawks finished the season 3rd in the Central Division, 5th in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 41-27-13-1 (W-L-T-OTL). Season scoring was lead by Daze with 70pts followed by Zhamnov (67pts), Amonte (66pts), and Nylander (61pts). The Hawks would make the post season after a long hiatus but wouldn't make it past the first round as they lost to the Blues. The Red Wings would go on to the win the Stanley Cup beating the Carolina Hurricanes in 5 games.
2002-2003: Not much new this NHL season, but the Hawks would be on the decline once again. Amonte would be lost to free agency as he signs a four year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes. Alexei Zhamnov would be appointed the next captain. Still coached by Brian Sutter, the Hawks finished the season 3rd in the Central Division, 9th in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 30-33-13-6 (W-L-T-OTL). Season scoring was lead by Sullivan with 61pts followed by Zhamnov (58pts), Daze (44pts), and Kyle Calder (42pts). The Hawks would miss the post season. The New Jersey Devils would go on to beat the Mighty Ducks in the Stanley Cup Final in a heartbreaking game 7. Heartbreaking if you were a Mighty Ducks fan of course.
2003-2004: Jersey change up this season as the NHL would now have teams wear their colored jerseys at home and their white jerseys away. This is the second time the NHL would do this when they decided that the white jerseys would be the home jerseys after the 1969-70 season. The league also introduced the Vintage Jersey Program this season, but only the Bruins, Oilers, Kings, Rangers, Blues, Canucks, and Canadiens would participate. These teams would bring back older style jerseys worn for a select few games. This would be rock bottom for the Hawks, literally and figuratively. The Hawks would finish last in the NHL this season with only 20 wins. They would also be named by ESPN as the worst franchise in professional sports. That's all professional sports, not just the NHL. Zhamnov would also be traded midseason to the Philadelphia Flyers for Jim Vandermeer, Colin Fraser, and a 2nd round pick. The Hawks would be captainless for the rest of the season. Still coached by Brian Sutter and led by captain, for a bit, Alexei Zhamnov the Hawks finished the season 5th in the Central Division, 15th in the Western Conference, and ended the season with a record of 20-43-11-8 (W-L-T-OTL). The Hawks would win something this year as Bryan Berard takes home the Masterton Trophy. Season scoring was lead by Tyler Arnason with 55pts followed by Bryan Berard (47pts), Mark Bell (45pts), and Tuomo Ruutu (44pts). The Hawks would yet again miss the post season by about 100 miles. In a surprise showdown, the Calgary Flames would face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Lightning clinching their first cup in 7 games.
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Player History |
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Steve Sullivan: Steve Sullivan will always have a special place in my heart. In a time when NHL players were getting bigger, it was always nice to see a shorter guy get a chance and excel in the game. Born in Timmins, ON, Sullivan would spend some time in the OHL before being drafted 233rd overall by the New Jersey Devils. He would spend some time in the AHL, where he won the Calder Cup, and spend a handful of games with the Devils until he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He would slowly find his way with the Leafs, but with too many scoring wingers he would be placed on waivers in 1999-2000. The Blackhawks would claim him and in Chicago he would start to shine. His second season with the Hawks he would score his career high 34 goals and 75 points in 81 games. Unfortunately, he joined the Hawks during the dark days and was traded to the Nashville Predators in 2004 for two 2nd round picks. He would spend the next four seasons with the Preds still continuing his scoring presence but would suffer a back injury that kept him out of almost half of the 2006-07 seasons and all of the 2007-08 season. He would persevere and return halfway through the 2008-09 season and was awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy. He would sign with the Penguins in free agency in 2011 for a season and then in Phoenix for a season in 2012 but would be traded to the Devils where he would retire in 2013.
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Once Sullivan got his footing in the NHL he would be a top tier sniper. He would get 20+ goals in 5 seasons and hit 30+ goals twice. He had a pretty long career too playing in 17 season and 1011 games. During this time he would rack up 290 goals and 747 points. He would hit the 60+ point mark five times and, like I said earlier, hit 75 points once. With the Hawks he put up 60+ points every season. Unfortunately he did not see the post season too often playing in only 50 playoff games. Being on the worst Hawks team in the last century didn't help either. But he would have some fun, including the video where karma would come back to bite the fan. I even had a personal run in with him when he was on the Predators.
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During the 2010-11 season I actually got some tickets beside the visiting teams bench. Some very drunk Hawks fans behind me were chirping Sullivan at every turn so he spent the game standing on the bench to block their view. Every now and then Sullivan would turn to me asking if I could see and at the end of the game gave me his signed stick! Sullivan would represent Canada internationally playing in the 2000 and 2001 IIHF World Championship. Post retirement, Sullivan would join the Coyotes organization as a development coach in 2014 and be named interim general manager in 2020 after GM John Chayka resigned after breaking NHL rules of hosting a private scouting combine for draft prospects. Sullivan would then take the assistant GM role for a short while until he was let go in 2021.
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Tuomo Ruutu: Hockey names are some of the best let me tell you. Born in Vantaa, Finland, Ruutu would play in the Finnish Elite League before being drafted 9th overall by the Blackhawks. He would play in two more season in the Finnish Elite League before joining the Hawks in 2003. Ruutu would have injury issues throughout his career but he would still be a solid contributor. He would play with the Hawks till the 2007-08 season when he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for Andrew Ladd. Ruutu would spend most of his career with the Canes and would have some of his best years. He would score a career high 57 points during the 2010-11 season. Still hampered with the injury bug, Ruutu would be traded to the New Jersey Devils in 2014 for Andrei Loktionov. He would spend two more seasons with the New Jersey Devils before heading over to Switzerland to play with HC Davos for a season to finish off his career. Ruutu would retire in 2017.
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For a 9th overall pick, Ruutu did not pan out as Hawks fans were hoping. With injury after injury it's hard for any player to make significant impact on a team. With the Hawks alone he suffered a shoulder injury, back injury, and a partially-severed ankle tendon. He would still have a pretty long career playing in 12 seasons and 735 games. During this time he would pot 148 goals and 346 points. He would only see the post season once unfortunately helping the Canes to the Eastern Conference Final before getting swept by the Penguins in the 2008-09 season. As a coach though, he would achieve the ultimate goal winning the Stanley Cup with the Panthers in 2023-24. Ruutu would have a great international play career playing for Finland. He would medal in all but one international tournament. He would take gold in the 2000 IIHF World U18 Championship.
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He would take silver in the 2001 IIHF World Junior Championship and take bronze in the 2002 and 2003 IIHF World Junior Championship. He would take bronze in the 2006 and 2008 IIHF World Championship, take silver in the 2007 IIHF World Championship, and take gold in the 2011 IIHF World Championship. He would participate in the 2010 and 2014 Olympics winning bronze in both. The only tournament he didn't medal in was the 2015 IIHF World Championship. After retirement, Ruutu went on to work as the Assistant Director of Player Development for the New York Rangers. He is now currently an assistant coach with the Florida Panthers.