The Unmatched Passion for Sports of Chicago Blackhawks’ David P. Stein

By: Dakota Zientek 

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Stein working the 2020 All Star Game

Where did this passion come from?
“I walked around 24/7 either with the Montreal Gazette newspaper, in my hand or a transistor radio,” said David P. Stein of the Chicago Blackhawks. “I was obsessed with all sports radio, and at the time, I wanted to be like the guys I saw on television, heard on the radio, or read in the newspaper. Guys like NHL.com's Dave Stubbs and John Lu of TSN were and still are figures that I look up to and aspire to be like because of their professionalism and objectivity.”

David P. Stein, who became a member of the Fan Development team of the Chicago Blackhawks after completing his master's in journalism at DePaul University, has a passion for sports unlike most. While most say they really like sports, it is evident by both Stein’s words and actions in life thus far that sports truly are his passion. Whether it be signing two one-week contracts for Fox Sports and the NBA, or having a twelve-episode series of his own called ‘On The Line with David Stein’ where he got to speak with names like Mike Babcock, Dave Stubbs, Ken Dryden, and many others, Stein lives and breathes sports. 

Growing up in Montreal, David P. Stein had large aspirations common amongst households in Montreal: to wear the red, white, and blue of the Montreal Canadiens and hoist the Stanley Cup. However, things for Stein didn't work out as planned. 

Did that stop his passion? Funny joke. 

A new path to the NHL
“I was just following my passion, just like every other kid in Montreal. You grow up wanting to play in the NHL, but at a certain point, you realize that it’s not going to happen. For a lot of people, that is the case, unfortunately. I always had the attitude of, ‘You can tell me I’m not going to make it in the NHL as a player, but that doesn't mean I’m not going to make it in the NHL.’ That is honestly still my attitude to this day.”

In Stein’s extensive list of work experience in sports, one moment seemed to trump the rest, and that was being able to write a few articles about Connor McDavid, a future Hall of Famer on the Edmonton Oilers. 

Stein interviewing Connor McDavid

“The [article] for the Montreal Gazette happened to be the first story I wrote that I ever got paid money for,” said Stein. “The Montreal Gazette gave me $100 for that story- $100, big deal! At the time, I didn't even care about the money! I was 18 years old, and I was just happy it was in the newspaper. I remember my grandmother calling me up that day, since she was the only one that read the newspaper still! That’s one of the proudest moments for me, and hopefully there are more to come.”

A lesson on persistence from Michael Jordan
While this moment resonates highly with David P. Stein, it is one of the many reasons he is where he is today professionally. One characteristic that stood out with Stein was his persistence to be great. Although failure is inevitable, and no one or no one thing is perfect, persistence is how to combat those truths. 

“At the end of the day, you just have to keep going and keep putting stuff out because one day, that will just be one of a million tasks you’ve done,” said Stein. “So, don't get hung up if the first time you do something, it isn’t as great as you thought it would be.” 

As a journalist for most of his professional life, Stein takes to a Chicago legend when he thinks of advice to give to others when being critical of their own work.

“I don't know if you saw The Last Dance, and I’m not trying to compare either of us to Michael Jordan, but that’s the mentality that brought him to that level. He was never ever satisfied,” said Stein. “That’s how I have lived and will continue to live. My best advice is to never be satisfied.”

While Stein finds similarities in himself with Michael Jordan, it’s not his basketball skills that are in comparison. It is the fact that both of them don’t become complacent or satisfied with the work they do. That doesn’t mean Stein hates the work he does. He just believes there is a ceiling that is never met in terms of writing the best possible piece out there. 

“There’s a point where you have to give it your best, look yourself in the mirror and know it’s your best, and also know that it’s pretty good,” said Stein. “If you have the passion and believe in what you’re doing, that’s the most important thing. You’ll always be driven to be better.”

Closing Words; Finding YOUR passion
At the end of the day, the main takeaway I gained from David P. Stein, member of the Fan Development team of the Chicago Blackhawks, is that if you don't have a passion for what you're doing, it’s time to change direction. It is widely known and understood that sports are a highly competitive job market. If you're just trying to get into sports because you kind of like them, the lack of passion will show not only in your interviews and interactions with members of the team, but also in the work you do. After reading and watching Stein’s work, as well as speaking to him, his passion for sports is hard to miss. You can read, watch, and hear his passion in everything he does, and that’s what makes David P. Stein someone special. 

Stein in his new home The Madhouse on Madison

“I’d like to be known as a guy that really put great care and detail into the work that he did do. Every single time you either heard him, read him, or saw him, that he was passionate about what he was talking about. If I could live a life where I feel like I never had to work a day in my life, that’d be my wish; it’s always been my dream, and I feel closer to my dream each day.”

So the question to ask yourself when thinking about a job in sports is this: What is MY passion?

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