"[14], In October 2019, Olczyk released his autobiography, Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life, in which he shares details of his fight with stage 3 colon cancer.[15]. Diana O. was in the lead at one point and it looked like she could win. Against all odds, he played on The same thinking could be applied to any of their offseason departures, in that it feels like the Blackhawks failed to do much of anything when it came to finding a way to keep fan favourites around. He has represented the organization as well as anyone could, through good times and bad. Olczyk, who has been one of the voices of the Blackhawks since 2006, will assume the analyst role with the Seattle Kraken joining the team his brother Ricky works for as an assistant general . It was a head-scratching moment to hear that Eddie Olczyk planned to leave the Chicago Blackhawks' broadcasting booth for good. The Olczyk family didnt have it easy when Eddie played in the NHL. He attended Brother Rice Catholic High School. Also, given Vosters is still relatively new, I strongly believe it would be in the teams best interests to find a well-known, respected veteran to pair with him, even if its as simple as moving Troy Murray from the radio broadcast. Someone is seated inside the otherwise-empty restaurant, and Olczyk explains hes going into the other room to be interviewed. In 2009, Olczyk received an Emmy for "Outstanding Achievement for Individual Excellence On Camera: Programming," followed by a 2012 Emmy for "Outstanding Achievement for Sports Programs - Sporting Event/Game - Live/Unedited Program/Special." He never anticipated last season would be his last with the organization. Twenty is a nice round number. The Olczyks had been more of a football and baseball family to that point, but 6-year-old Eddie wanted to give skating a try. At the end of the day it is always about money and terms. Share. Hall of Fame play-by-play voice Pat Foley was forced out after last season, the team traded star winger Alex DeBrincat on draft day and now Olczyk is departing. The boys have a lot of those traits. Against all odds, he played on the 1984 U.S. Olympic hockey team as a 17-year-old . He owned a thoroughbred he named Diana O., after his wife. His oldest son, also named Eddie, is a 26-year-old assistant coach at Niagara University. Ricky also happens to be a Kraken assistant general manager. Olczyk was also the lead color commentator for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Men's Ice Hockey, where he partnered with Mike Emrick and "Inside-the-Glass" reporter Pierre McGuire. Follow. But despite Rocky Wirtzs feelings for him, the Hawks drew a line with Olczyk. From 1984 through 1987, Olczyk was a member of Chicago's infamous "Clydesdale Line" with Troy Murray and Curt Fraser, the nickname coined by Chicago's broadcaster Pat Foley, as each player weighed in at or around 200 pounds. According to Diana, Tommy gave as much as attention to books as pucks from middle school, throughout high school and carried a 4.0 GPA to Penn State. You think of Kane and Toews on the ice and Pat and Eddie in the booth. She was in the studio for pre-game, post-game, and intermission analysis. I'm just proud as heck.". Im still trying my hardest to get up to speed with Chris Vosters. But that had some major play in it.. With his adoptive family, the Touhys, and other influential . Eddie went on to become one of the United States' top players. "I knew what I wanted to do when I was 12 years old. Thats as far as Im gonna go on that. We're able to talk about anything and everything. Updated hourly, with analysis, commentary and features from hundreds writers worldwide, our articles are read over 5 million times every month. His older fans followed him from his days in National Hockey League while his younger fans . The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2023. He hopes that with the support and encouragement from my family, the Chicago Blackhawks organization, NBC Sports and all my friends and fans he will be back in the broadcast booth soon. Ultimately, fans will have a favourite or two by the seasons end, but I think it may still take a few years before anyone has the type of following that Foley and Olczyk were able to accumulate. The hockey tradition has also carried on with Eddie's three sons, who are all coaching and playing hockey. But, he hopes you enjoyed his time in Chicago. The Blackhawks teardown includes the TV booth. June 7th, 2022 Birthday. The couple now owns four thoroughbred horses and hes also a big advocate of the safety of the animals. Everybodys saying, get ready, get ready, the rains coming, the rains coming. Im like, I dont know, maybe. He used to drive from Chicago to Indianapolis to make 50 bucks a game, Olczyk said. But Danny and Jaime had come out this year, and we spent time with them. On May 5, 2014, EA Sports announced that "Eddie O" will provide color commentary for NHL 15 alongside play-by-play announcer Mike Emrick and "Inside-the-Glass" reporter Ray Ferraro. Not confident at all. Olczyk was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic hockey team and was a No. The Olczyk family name was found in the USA in 1920. Theres negotiations, and we agreed to disagree, and everybody has moved on, he said. They could have him, Forslund and Brown in the same booth depending on the size of an arenas broadcast area or have one working from a different vantage point. With that, our Blackhawks team wanted to get together to reflect on this monumental change. Hes taken in some of the scenery and gotten to know the area. He worked on the coaching staff of Niagara Universitys hockey team and is currently a coach at Bemidji State University, UMass. Eddie Olczyk. My family and I appreciate privacy during this time as we focus our attention on my treatments.". Neither would eleven, five, or even six. But as a woman, Im probably a bit partial. The Olczyk family lived a comfortable life as his father had earned a huge sum of money in his career. I went from building a case for why he should have been considered Chicagos next general manager on Blackhawks Banter, to being less than surprised to see him depart their broadcasting booth. Though I didnt necessarily think this meant Olczyk would leave the booth, Im not necessarily as shocked about this news as others. With that said, the fact that Eddie has found his way to being part of the overall teardown just seems all too fitting at this point. He was named a captain at Brown University during his senior season. "Our lives are hockey," Nick said. He was selected to repeat his duties alongside Emrick for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.[6]. Personal life [ edit] Born in Glenview, Illinois in 1954, [1] Pat Foley is the son of Mary and Bob Foley. All Rights Reserved. The NHL player turned broadcaster was on his second round of chemotherapy for stage 3 colon cancer, and the effects were so severe that he told his wife, Diana . And so, when extension talks with the Blackhawks snagged this summer, Olczyk didnt hesitate when his brothers team made their pitch. CHICAGO (AP) Eddie Olczyk is leaving the Chicago Blackhawks after 16 years as a color commentator on their television broadcasts and is expected to work Seattle Kraken games next season. The news of Olczyk leaving the Blackhawks. Eddie Olczyk serves as a handicapper and analyst for NBC Sports' Triple Crown horse racing coverage. Instead, Olczyk will join the Kraken while remaining as an analyst for TNT. Michigan had the highest population of Olczyk families in 1920. He has learned to sleep on planes over the years, so that helps. Am I working with Kenny (Albert), or Johnny (Forslund) or Jonesy (Keith Jones) or J.T.? Editorial Reviews. Just the timing is what it is, and you have to make those decisions. Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Olczyk surname lived. Heres what you need to know about Eddie Olczyks wife, Diana Olczyk. Olczyk will team with John Forslund to form one of the best TV tandems in hockey which the Hawks once had. Secure payments & money back guarantee. . Eddie Olczyk, Former NHL player, coach, and commentator It was not until August 4, 2017, that his life changed forever. Olczyk has several connections to the Kraken. SEATTLE Eddie Olczyk pulls out his keycard and swipes it to enter one door. Their relationship has changed as adults. An avid enthusiast of thoroughbred horse racing, Eddie Olczyk also served as guest commentator at major horse racing events for NBC Sports. For me, what it did was it reassured me that I was in a pretty good place before I was sick. Besides Chelios or Murray, I thought Nick Olczyk, Eddies son would make a good candidate as he did well calling some games last season, but Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reported he left the organization as well. Eddie Olczyk Jr., the son of former NHL forward and NBC Sports hockey analyst Eddie Olczyk, released the following statement Thursday on Twitter in response to countless messages the. It seems like the Blackhawks stiffed him in that sense, and if thats the case, then thats disheartening knowing they didnt step up to the plate. This [I] know.". He played 16 seasons in the NHL, coached in the NHL and is now one of the game's most recognizable television commentators. Longtime analyst Eddie Olczyk will not return to the team. Pat Foley (born 1954) is an American retired play-by-play commentator for ice hockey . This is the official podcast of the Seattle Kraken! Olczyks brother Ricky is a Kraken assistant general manager, his son Eddie is an amateur scout and general manager Ron Francis is a close friend. A post shared by Chicago Blackhawks (@nhlblackhawks). But, now he's moving on. Nick Olczyk, Eddies son who appeared on TV and radio for the Hawks last season, also will not return, according to a source. Thats just whatever. It was five years ago last month that Olczyk announced he was stepping away from NBC work to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Well. I will also miss him always saying, Keep an eye on the goaltender if the Hawks or the opposing team were down by a goal with a couple of minutes left. Or do you want to spend your remaining time in the limelight youve always known? Beginning with the 200607 NHL season, Olczyk was the color commentator for the Chicago Blackhawks television broadcasts, partnering play-by-play announcer Pat Foley. Now, I completely respect Olczyks decision to step aside, especially if the two sides were not willing to come to an agreement. I mean that's just the reality of the world we live in. Eddie Olczyk is leaving the Chicago Blackhawks after 16 years as a color commentator on their television broadcasts. They were hoping Eddie would be a bridge to that newness. All rights reserved. He underwent a surgical procedure to remove the tumor. Throughout his career as an NHL player, he played 1,031 NHL games and produced 342 goals and 452 assists for a total of 794 points. Ricky didn't possess the talent Eddie did, though, and his playing days ended in college. Edward Walter Olczyk Jr. (/ o l t k /; born August 16, 1966) is an American former center in the National Hockey League for 16 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins.He won the Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994. Like the Blackhawks who seemed to always put competing at the forefront, Eddie led with passion in all he did for the franchise. We all simply have to get used to a different voice. The record was broken by Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks during the 201516 season. But the one thing well have is great conversation. All Rights Reserved. According to multiple media reports, Eddie Olczyk is leaving his role as the color analyst for NBC Sports Chicago's broadcasts of Blackhawks games. The Blackhawks granted that permission, which Olczyk said surprised him. Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, he fell in love with the game of hockey during an era when most kids preferred balls to pucks. Nothing is said in exchange, and he carries on. And with their family, was always Diana. 4.05. The 55-year-old spent the past 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks as their TV color . She would take their sons to their hockey games and trips, carrying three bags of hockey gear, and tied their skates. Eddie Olczyk, a former hockey player turned color commenter, went to the hospital during the second intermission of the broadcast Saturday due to his health problem and is likely to be in his home or hospital tonight. Im sure going back will feel a little different, but its home. Olczyk stated, Negotiations are hard. Eddie Olczyk is leaving the Chicago Blackhawks after 16 years as a color commentator on their television broadcasts. Happy to say I've done that today.". His brother, Rick Olczyk, is the assistant general manager of the Kraken, and his son Eddie, Jr., is an amateur scout for the team. His deal expired after last season. Not solely because of the Olczyk news, but more so because of all that led up to it.