Blackhawks Championship 2015 Banner, Ring Ceremony, Twitter Reaction, Highlights

The National Hockey League returned on Wednesday night with the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks kicking off the season by celebrating their Stanley Cup triumph last season. Before their game against the New York Rangers, the organization raised a new championship banner to the rafters.

Not featured during the ceremony, but still worth noting, the Blackhawks also received their rings on Wednesday. Chicago gave fans a first look on Sunday at the championship rings the staff and players would receive:

The Blackhawks were treated to a celebrity's welcome on Wednesday night as they entered the United Center in style, as the team and CSN Blackhawks showed:

After an on-ice projection depicting some of last season's best moments, the fans added to the festive atmosphere with a light show as every member of the crowd was given a bracelet, as shown by WIFR's Scott Grodsky:

Grodsky also had a look at the opening ceremonies:

The Western Conference banner was unveiled along with the introductions of the training and coaching staff. Even NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was on hand and was greeted with a familiar chorus, as BlueSeatBlogs.com's Dave Shapiro showed:

The Stanley Cup was reintroduced to the Chicago faithful during the ceremony, the last time it would be with the team. Raised and carried in by Niklas Hjalmarsson, the veteran defenseman kicked off the player introductions. Of note, Patrick Kane received a standing ovation despite his tumultuous offseason. Once again, Grodsky showed his entrance:

Captain Jonathan Toews got one last moment with the Cup before their title defense begins, as shown by NBC Sports:

Finally, the newest Stanley Cup Championship banner was unveiled and raised to the rafters as it nestled between the 2010 and 2013 banners. 

The players took a moment with the Cup and in front of the banner before the focus shifted to Wednesday night's game, as shown by the Cauldron:

While raising a banner is an emotional moment for the team and its fans, it doesn't necessarily give them a boost come game time, as MSG's Kenny Albert pointed out:

Salary-cap issues forced some of the key players of the Blackhawks' Cup run to not be in attendance this season. Patrick Sharp and Johnny Oduya are now with the Dallas Stars, while Brandon Saad is with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Brad Richards went to the Detroit Red Wings, Kris Versteeg is with the Carolina Hurricanes, and Antoine Vermette returned to the Arizona Coyotes. 

While Chicago enters 2015-16 with a different look, most of the core remains that helped the team win three championships in six years. Add that to head coach Joel Quenneville's experience, and there's a good chance that the Blackhawks will be challenging for another banner this season.