The Chicago Steel and the United States Hockey League announced Friday the sale of the Steel to Wirtz Corporation, owner of businesses across professional sports & entertainment, real estate, insurance, banking, and wholesale distribution throughout the United States.
The sale culminates the eight-year ownership of Larry Robbins, during which the Steel became one of the most prominent junior hockey clubs in the world. Robbins, an Arlington Heights native, purchased the Steel in May 2015 and the club relocated from Bensenville to Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva that summer.
“Eight years ago, Larry Robbins acquired the Chicago Steel and established an audacious goal to become one of the top junior hockey clubs in the world,” said Steel President and USHL Vice President/Chairman Dan Lehv. “The results have been extraordinary, and his efforts have established a new standard for player development, professional advancement and team success.”
“The success of the Steel is a testament to the power of positive culture, of team and family, of love and respect for the game of hockey and everyone who contributes to it and the value of bringing passion and purpose to all we do,” said Robbins. “I want to thank every player, their families and advisors, every coach, hockey professional, billet family and fan who contributed to our collective ascension and added to my own personal growth, development and understanding of the game I so adore.”
39 players with Steel ties have been selected in the NHL Draft since 2015 including #1 overall pick Owen Power (2021, Buffalo) and #3 overall selection Adam Fantilli (2023, Columbus). The Steel had the most draft picks of any independent junior team in the world in back-to-back drafts (2020 & 2021).
160 Steel players since 2015 have earned NCAA Division I commitments, and three former Steel players earned 2023 Rookie of the Year honors in their respective conferences, Adam Fantilli (Big Ten), Sam Lipkin (ECAC) and Jackson Blake (NCHC). Fantilli won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award in 2023 given to the nation’s top men’s ice hockey player while Lipkin won an NCAA National Championship.
In 2022-2023, the Steel finished first in the Eastern Conference for the fourth consecutive season and were led by rookie Macklin Celebrini who became the first player in USHL history to win Player of the Year, Forward of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the same season.
“The Chicago Steel acquisition comes as a positive during a very difficult week for the Wirtz family due to the recent passing of Rocky Wirtz, but Rocky cared deeply about growing the game of hockey at all levels and was so excited about the opportunity to welcome this incredible junior program into the Wirtz Corporation portfolio. We look forward to carrying on his legacy and supporting the Steel players and Steel organization with the resources needed to continue their great success,” said Jim English, Chief Financial Officer of Wirtz Corporation.
In addition to player advancement, 11 members of the Steel hockey staff have matriculated to NHL organizations including current New York Rangers Assistant Coach Dan Muse (Steel 2015-2017) and Toronto Maple Leafs Assistant General Manager Ryan Hardy (Steel 2018-2021). Two previous Steel head coaches, Greg Moore (2018-2019) and Brock Sheahan (2019-2022) each jumped from behind the Steel bench to head coaching roles in the American Hockey League, and Steel Director of Player Enhancement Adam Nicholas was named Montreal Canadiens Director of Hockey Development in 2022.
Over the past eight seasons, the Steel have the accumulated the most regular season wins (287) and most playoff wins (29) in the USHL, capturing two Clark Cup Championships (2017, & 2021), two Anderson Cup Championships (awarded to the team with most points during the regular season, 2020 & 2021), and three Eastern Conference titles (2017, 2019 & 2021) while qualifying for the postseason seven consecutive years (2017-present).
“We have worked relentlessly to innovate player development and create a highly competitive and collaborative culture in which our players love coming to the rink every day,” said Steel Head Coach and General Manager Mike Garman. “This transaction will not only sustain what is special about our team and culture but will provide further opportunities to enhance and innovate within the prestigious Wirtz Corporation.”
“The true impact of our collective contribution to the sport will be measured over the coming decades as our players and professional staff go forth not only to elevate the game of hockey but positively contribute to their communities globally,” added Robbins. “The combination with Wirtz Corporation positions the Steel for even greater success, making our commitment to player development and professional advancement permanently sustainable while providing the resources for superior fan experience and engagement, and through our development efforts the Steel look forward to contributing to the continued elevation of Chicagoland hockey across every level.”
The 2022-2023 campaign marked the seventh consecutive (non-COVID) year of attendance growth for the club which has increased its home attendance 72 percent since 2015.
The team will retain its current hockey and business leadership through the transition under the direction of Lehv. Robbins will remain with the organization in an advisory role.
The United States Hockey League Board of Directors approved the ownership transfer on Friday, and the club will officially transition to its new ownership on August 1. Terms of the sale will not be disclosed.
