The Chicago Steel have been sold to Wirtz Corporation, which also owns the Chicago Blackhawks, the Steel announced Monday. 

The USHL's Board of Governors approved the sale Friday and Wirtz Corporation will officially take over operations of the team on Aug. 1. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

Larry Robbins, who owned the team for eight years and oversaw an unprecedented level of success for the organization including two Clark Cup championships, will stay on in an advisory role.

The sale to the Wirtz Corporation comes on the heels of the sudden passing of Wirtz family patriarch, Rocky Wirtz, who succumbed to a brief illness on July 25.

We are deeply saddened to join the Wirtz Family in mourning the sudden passing of our Chairman W. Rockwell “Rocky” Wirtz today at the age of 70. pic.twitter.com/WA58pXWl9M

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 26, 2023

"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.

The Steel's current business and hockey operations personnel, including its coaching staff will remain in place under new ownership.

Over the previous eight seasons, the Steel won more games than any other USHL team, won two postseason titles and two Anderson Cups as regular-season champions. They played in the final series three times and have seen 39 players with Steel ties selected in the NHL Draft, most notably 2021 No. 1 pick Owen Power and 2023 No. 3 pick Adam Fantilli. Power was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL rookie of the year last season.

Thank you, Larry Robbins, for eight incredible years. We’re excited to begin the next chapter!#FeelSteel pic.twitter.com/Pp9Zthty4n

— Chicago Steel (@ChicagoSteel) July 31, 2023

The team also recently just graduated Macklin Celebrini, who is projected to be a top pick in the 2024 NHL Draft after securing USHL Player, Forward and Rookie of the Year awards in his only campaign with Chicago. He will attend Boston University in the fall.

“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,” Steel head coach and general manager Mike Garman said in a statement.  “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 Steel play out of Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. 

Wirtz Corporation has deep ties to the city, founded by Arthur Wirtz in 1926. The corporation has a wide portfolio of businesses and real estate. This is its first foray into the amateur hockey space, but the Wirtz Family has been in the hockey business dating back to the 1930s. Wirtz Corporation is also a co-owner of the United Center, home arena of the Blackhawks and Chicago Bulls.