In the midst of Chicago’s impending baseball insanity, it’s easy to forget the little guy is in town. The ne’er-do-wells. The also-rans. The lifelong underdogs. But enough about the Bears.

I’m talking about the Blackhawks, who, despite being nearly non-existent two years ago, are suddenly surging in area popularity. It wasn’t all that complicated — the death of the broadcast-averse Bill Wurtz was pretty much all it took — but it remains shocking what young players, good timing, and TV availability will do for a hockey franchise. At the very least, it proves the hockey-haters wrong: There’s nothing wrong with the sport itself. Just with how it was run.

The Blackhawks had their first exhibition game last night, and buried in the Chicago Tribune’s earnest story is this telling factoid:

A 300 percent surge in season tickets from last season was the main reason for Tuesday’s announced crowd—there were a few thousand empty seats—as exhibition games are included in season packages.

300 percent surge! In season tickets! Those things aren’t really cheap, you know, and still people are gobbling them up at a higher rate than ever. Including me and my friends — we’ll be there eight times this year, in the cheap seats, and if I ever feel less ambivalent toward the Indian logo, maybe I’ll even buy a jersey. Or sweater. Whatever they are.

There’s still a long way to go, but yep: The Blackhawks are back.