There are plenty of ways to start the story of Rocky Wirtz, the Chicago Blackhawks and one of the greatest franchise turnarounds in sports history.The story of that transformation, from league laughingstock to champion, and the family behind it all is told in *The Breakaway: The Inside Story of the Wirtz Family Business and the Chicago Blackhawks.*Esposito was joined at the 2018 Blackhawks Convention by Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz and book author Bryan Smith on a panel moderated by Blackhawks Team Historian Bob Verdi. Their discussion covered a wide range of topics from the legendary mind games of former Blackhawks owner Arthur Wirtz to the "Shakespearean" family drama that unfolded behind the scenes when Rocky took control of the team in 2007.Wirtz explained that in order to participate in the book, he needed Smith to promise him two things: tell the truth and donate all proceeds to the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation.Smith approved and the process of writing *The Breakaway began*."It's important to me to make a book powerful and resonate with the reader. Not to write a Valentine," Smith said. "I'm a journalist, so I'm trying to write it not gushy. Even then, Rocky went back in a couple parts and was like 'de-gush this, because this [change was made by] John McDonough.' Deflecting praise, basically."While the book includes Rocky's story as chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks, Smith also writes about grandfather Arthur Wirtz, who purchased the Chicago Blackhawks in 1946 and led the team to a Stanley Cup in 1961.The six-foot-four, 300-pound Arthur Wirtz cut an intimidating presence behind the desk from which he ran the Blackhawks and Wirtz family business."Dad was intimidating, but my grandfather was the most intimidating man I've ever met," Wirtz said. "He was a master of mind games before they were in vogue."Rocky described a meeting with his grandfather in which Arthur took several phone calls before excusing himself to use the restroom. After waiting almost 45 minutes, Rocky learned from a secretary that his grandfather had left for dinner."He wanted to tell me how P.O.'d he was so he just went for dinner," Wirtz said. "He never brought up what he wanted to see me about. That's when I realized he was sending me a message without ever saying a word."Rocky's grandfather and father both gained nicknames from the Chicago press for their careful spending in both business and ownership of the Blackhawks. Arthur was the "Baron of the Bottom Line." Rocky's father was "Dollar Bill" Wirtz.When he took over the Blackhawks in 2007, Rocky ushered in a new era of hockey in Chicago, one that prioritized the fan experience and winning above all. But this new direction didn't come without tension between some members of the Wirtz family who disagreed with Rocky's vision for the Blackhawks."Every family has dysfunction," Wirtz said. "If anyone tells you they don't, I'll tell you they're lying."Over a decade into Rocky's stewardship of the franchise, the Wirtz name is now synonymous with Stanley Cups and sellout streaks. But as *The Breakaway* reveals, the journey to get here was anything but straightforward."Dad would have been very pleased when he looked at the franchise today, from where it was in 2007," Wirtz said. "He just wouldn't have agreed with one thing that we have done."To pre-order your copy of *The Breakaway* or see upcoming book signing events visit **[chicagoblackhawks.com/thebreakaway](https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/info/the-breakaway)**.