The 55-year-old spent the past 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks as their TV color . The Hawks offered him one, but Olczyk decided it was time for him to leave. On July 18, it was announced that beloved Chicago Blackhawks ' broadcaster Eddie Olczyk would leave the organization after serving 16 years as a color . This is what I will remember about Eddie O. View all (84) Evan. He's expected to work Seattle Kraken games next season. At present, Rick is a colleague general administrator of the . For as good as Olczyk is a broadcaster, I will even more so miss his personality and what he brought to the broadcasts as a human being. June 7th, 2022 Birthday. But lets face it, the Blackhawks are trying to start anew. as well as a few other broadcasts, he accumulated many frequent flier miles! As much as he never expected to leave the Blackhawks, the Kraken presented a perfect option. Their parents have enjoyed watching the relationship evolve and witnessing how each son arrived at his goal of the NHL in his own way. In February 2016, it was announced that Olczyk would be the recipient of the Ring Lardner Award, which was founded in 2002 by the Chicago Athletic Association and honors broadcasters and writers who "exemplify the wit and warmth of Ring Lardner's writing." Having walked in that building for 16 straight years, under some real emotional time, not only franchise-wise but also personally, spent a lot of my life there, so Im sure the time to reminisce and be able to really kind of sit back. We admire you, and were lucky to have you as part of our extended family.. In a lot of ways, all this seems very normal. Im sure going back will feel a little different, but its home. His deal expired after last season. This way, we dont have to associate his voice with whats to come. Before leaving to join Team Israel, Cubs prospect Matt Mervis shared why this WBC means so much to him. I'm proud as heck. With Kevin Durant now in the mix, the new-look Suns showed the Bulls just how much firepower they have. Olczyk was also the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins from June 2003 to December 2005. Having the NHL means more opportunities for TNT to use its partnerships with the NBA and All Elite Wrestling for cross-promotion. 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." Olczyk, who has been on Hawks broadcasts since 2006, couldnt reach an agreement with management on a new contract. We're able to talk about anything and everything. Eddie Olczyk is leaving the Chicago Blackhawks after 16 years as a color commentator on their television broadcasts. He then moved to Canada to play for the Stratford Cullitons junior team before joining the 1984 U.S. Olympic hockey team. Olczyk is one of the best analysts in not just the NHL but all of professional sports. 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. Some will do it better than others and an imbalance in air time will ensue. His first name is "Eddie" and his last name is . Olczyk has rented a two-bedroom apartment in the Seattle suburb of Bellevue. With the Blackhawks heading into unchartered territory, with pain ahead for every inch of the franchise, it almost seems fitting that Olczyk has found a way to escape it all in advance. After Emrick retired on October 19, 2020, at the end of the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals, he was paired with Kenny Albert and John Forslund for most of the regular season but was paired with Albert for the playoffs and the Stanley Cup Finals. He spent 16 years in the National Hockey League, playing for six teams, including the Penguins. Its tough to say. Eddie Olczyk's cancer battle was an extended family affair. Foley retired after last season after his 39-year tenure as a play-by-play announcer, and less than three months later, fans have to say goodbye to another big part of their team in Olczyk. Personal life [ edit] Born in Glenview, Illinois in 1954, [1] Pat Foley is the son of Mary and Bob Foley. He never anticipated last season would be his last with the organization. Thats the pull announcers have in Chicago. In the past two years, he also has covered Triple Crown and other major horse racing events for NBC. Brad Johansen Leaving NBC4 Columbus: Where Is the Anchor Going? Former New York Ranger Eddie Olczyk talks hockey and cancer Jim Bay Former New York Ranger and NBC hockey analyst Eddie Olczyk. Next Up In Against all odds, he played on the 1984 U.S. Olympic hockey team as a 17-year-old . My mom would take my dad's car to go home to go south. Olczyk was born and raised in Chicago. Itll always be home. We're excited to welcome award-winning broadcaster & @NHL veteran Eddie Olczyk to the #SeaKraken family where he'll join @JohnForslund & @JTBrown23 in the Kraken broadcast . He'd thought about it plenty while mourning with his younger brother, Ricky, a Kraken assistant general manager, and the rest of his close-knit family in their Chicago hometown, where onetime NHL. What weve gone through transitionally, moving, new schools, finding doctors, friends, thats crazy. Im frustrated that the Blackhawks could not get a deal done, and Im sad because of what the team will miss. If one thing's certain, however, it's that "Eddie-O" will forever be a Chicago legend. Eddie Olczyk has been the Blackhawks TV analyst since 2006. The Family Man. "The hockey world is something we wouldn't trade for anything, and the positivity and encouraging messages that have come our way during this unexpected and difficult time has truly been incredible. He's said to us for years, 'The true colors of someone, some team, or some thing are not when times are good, but when times are tough.' At least the way Eddie Olczyk sees it. But Tommy, an accounting major with a 3.7 GPA, is the brains ofthe family and they agree he gets it from their mom. Between working as an analyst for NBC, the Chicago Blackhawks, and. Hell join the Krakens booth next season. Regarding a replacement for Eddie, Mark Lazerus of The Athletic brought up the names of Patrick Sharp, Adam Burish, and Caley Chelios. But the Kraken really liked what they saw and felt he could be their Swiss Army knife, so to speak.. On behalf of the Writz family, thank you for what you do for us every day. He scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game on October 11, 1984, versus the Detroit Red Wings in Chicago Stadium against Greg Stefan. Thats just whatever. A little later, Olczyk leaves the restaurant, walks down a set of stairs and joins media members near the top of a set of bleachers to watch a hockey practice. He got to see his old team and his good friend Troy Murray at the Blackhawks game in Denver against the Colorado Avalanche to begin the season, which felt good. Olczyk had talked to a lot of people since the news broke, but he hadnt really seen many Blackhawks personnel since then. These are some really, really big shoes to fill. 204 ratings24 reviews. In 2003, he moved from the booth to the bench and served as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins from June 11, 2003, until December 15, 2005. There was a contract on the table, but I have decided to step away. It wasnt until August that Olczyk was technically hired by the Kraken because TNT, for which Olczyk calls games nationally, also had to sign off on his new contract. He was one last thing to cling to, and now he is gone. And just make sure I walk into the right booth. I'm very fortunate to have that relationship with him. We are going to miss him as much as our fans will. Olczyk still doesnt want to get too into why he passed on the Blackhawks contract offer and ultimately left the team. The yellow pamphlet was an invitation to learn how to skate at Ballard Sports Complex in Niles, Illinois. Hes taken in some of the scenery and gotten to know the area. I never thought, to be completely honest, Id get 35 games last year, let alone one. [1], Olczyk grew up in Niles, Illinois and Palos Heights, Illinois and went to Brother Rice Catholic High School. Before he watched the late telecast of the race on TV, his wife called to. "The mom and dad are extremely honest, hardworking, genuine people. All Rights Reserved. Olczyk's contract expired on June 30. in NHL history, Rangers, Bruins, other Beasts of the East feast on NHL trade deadline, Chasing history in Boston: The numbers behind the Bruins' wild 2022-23 season, McDavid, then who? Just the timing is what it is, and you have to make those decisions. Having grown up in the hockey aspect of it, you just watch them all how they grow on the ice and as human beings, said Diana. . He went to a couple of Seattle Mariners games. I believe it was a God-given gift to play hockey. We . Diana and Eddie Olczyk are parents to four children. Later tied by Phil Kessel, the record would stand until being passed by Patrick Kane in 2015-16 season. It will be a growing season within the booth next year for sure. And its OK to get that in there. There was a contract on the table, but I have decided to step away. He used to drive from Chicago to Indianapolis to make 50 bucks a game, Olczyk said. He became, as Boyle put, "the soundtrack" to the Hawks' dynasty. Once Eddie showed promise in hockey, he began to have more opportunities to play against better competition, which meant having to send him around the United States and into Canada. Olczyk has known Brown since Brown was a teenager, and theyve quickly developed an on-air rapport with Olczyk in the booth and Brown at ice level. Throughout his life he transitioned his focus to many different career paths but after he was diagnosed with cancer his priorities shifted. Heres what you need to know about Eddie Olczyks wife, Diana Olczyk. Eddie Olczyk fans are of all ages. Lightning, his father was diagnosed with colon cancer. I never dreamed hed make it to the NHL this fast, and it was an unfortunate circumstance. Eddie Olczyk Son Two of his children are currently playing hockey. But, with the attention surrounding the story, he couldn't help but clear the air. It is Nov. 10, 1990 and Eddie Olczyk's wife is well into labour at a Scarborough hospital. 1 min read Blackhawks 'disappointed' with Eddie Olczyk's departure originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago The Chicago Blackhawks released a statement. Eddie III played in the Southern Professional Hockey League with Bloomington Thunder. Despite his arrival at Turner for hockey, Olczyks deal will allow him to remain at NBC to cover handicap horse racing. People always ask me with the cancer whether I look at things differently now than I did before I was sick, Olczyk said. Every time he was traded or signed to a new team, the family had to pick up and move to a new home. Before leaving to join Team Israel, Cubs prospect Matt Mervis shared why this WBC means so much to him. Eddie, we look up words like courage, grace, professionalism, family man; your picture shows up all over them. Given their current outlook, he may have realized there was no better time than the present. This is my decision. Olczyk explained he tried to keep a "low profile" during the day. He didnt elaborate on theirlove. Beginning with the 200607 NHL season, Olczyk was the color commentator for the Chicago Blackhawks television broadcasts, partnering play-by-play announcer Pat Foley. All rights reserved, Eddie Olczyk on Unfiltered: 'This was my decision', They couldn't come to terms on a new contract, Indiana State Trooper Struck and Killed by Suspect During Police Chase, Chicago FOP Lodge Reelects John Catanzara as President, New Ranking Names Most Expensive Cities In Illinois and These Chicago Suburbs Top the List, Chicago Suburb Lands on List of Happiest Places to Live,' Another Midwest City Makes Top 10, Chicago-Area Counties Under Winter Storm Advisories and Warnings, Actor Tom Sizemore, of Saving Private Ryan,' Dies at 61. "They love what they're doing," Ed said of his sons. A third brother, Randy, 44, works at Chicagoland Commercial, an area real estate company. He attended Brother Rice Catholic High School. [citation needed], Olczyk was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks as the third overall pick in the first round of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. For me, what it did was it reassured me that I was in a pretty good place before I was sick. Theres plenty of work ahead perfecting this seasons setup for a second-year Kraken fan base quite different from the Original Six market he left behind. But although that scare made him want to fight for the things he already appreciated, the death last summer of Olczyks mother, Diana, reminded him there was still more hed like to do. . The couple has four children namely Nick, Tom, Rick, and a daughter called Zandra. The 1984 draft class saw legends like Mario Lemieux, Patrick Roy, and Brett Hull all join the NHL. 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 . Olczyk feels the same. Its the first time hes been on the same team as his older brother, Eddie. The loss of Olczyk in the broadcasting booth makes me very sad. As a youth, Olczyk played in the 1978 and 1979 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a minor ice hockey team from Chicago. Olczyk stated, Negotiations are hard. We did because I have a lot of respect for Danny (Wirtz) and Jaime (Faulkner), and I also know Jamie Spencer in the organization, Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke said. The root cause of. Eddie Olczyk was ready to give up. That didn't stop him from continuing to pursue a hockey career, and Ricky made his own way to the NHL through the front office. Eddie Olczyk: Birth Realities, Family, and Childhood Edward Walter Olczyk Jr. was conceived on August 16, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. "I think both sides certainly expected to get a contract done.". Look, I never thought Id leave home. Because there are a couple of times over the years where I was doing a lot of games, maybe doing like five in six (days), and I think I called Doc (Emrick) Pat (Foley) and Pat, Doc. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. To be around Ricky is big, because I dont always get the chance, Olczyk said of his brother, who was a team captain at Brown University and used his law degree to break into the NHL, serving as an AGM in Edmonton and Carolina. 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. Clearly, the Blackhawks are taking the concept of a rebuild to a whole new level. Besides Nick, Olczyk's brother Ricky is an assistant general manager for the Kraken and son Eddie Jr. is an amateur scout. Their daughter, Alexandra is a student at the University of Alabama. Olczyk was born and raised in Chicago. ( Full Record) Pronunciation: \ OHL-chuk \ 1x Cup Winner 16 16 16 16 12 16 7 27 16 Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. This is the official podcast of the Seattle Kraken! Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. How could he? The two sides fit perfectly in that regard. 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. Olczyk will team with John Forslund to form one of the best TV tandems in hockey which the Hawks once had. The Blackhawks teardown includes the TV booth. Hall of Fame play-by-play voice Pat Foley and Olczyk worked together for 14 years, and they were always entertaining and informative. Ed Olczyk is also an inductee of USA-HOF from 2012. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File . In a seismic event in the Chicago sports market, the Blackhawks and TV analyst Eddie Olczyk are parting ways. Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Eddie Olczyk (fully Edward Walter Olczyk Jr.) is an American professional ice hockey analyst who also formerly played ice hockey as a center for NHL teams like Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also was the lead color commentator for NHL on NBC, and previously for the NHL on Versus; the latter later rebranded as NBCSN in 2012. . My dad is the strongest person I know. I worked with the kids and stuff. He was hired by the Edmonton Oilers in 2007 as director of hockey administration and legal affairs, and eventually was promoted to assistant general manager. Nevertheless, he will always be a Blackhawk and will forever be part of the Chicago family. He served as a television color commentator for NHL on NBC until its end in 2021 and currently commentates on TNT and Seattle Kraken games on Root Sports Northwest. 1 min read. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. NHL 2023. Nick played for the Colorado College Tigers and, in 2022, became a television studio analyst for the Seattle Kraken. And then theres general manager Ron Francis, who was roommates with Olczyk in the final season for both with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1997-98. What weve gone through transitionally, moving, new schools, finding doctors, friends, thats crazy. 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. "We're very, very blessed. Former NHL forward and coach Eddie Olczyk has been diagnosed with colon cancer. Reviews. There was a contract offer on the table. He was selected to repeat his duties alongside Emrick for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.[6]. The family shared Eddie's hockey journey, turning out-of-state hockey tournaments into vacations. According to a source, the Hawks would not give him the same contract length that the Kraken did. Eddie Olczyk was born on August 16, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. She would take their sons to their hockey games and trips, carrying three bags of hockey gear, and tied their skates. It's been pretty amazing that the boys and my brother are still in the game.". My heart breaks for his family, former colleagues and every player who was lucky enough to call him their coach. I really have a lot of respect for what theyre doing and how theyre going about it. Hes a Chicago native who grew up a Hawks fan and was the teams first-round draft pick in 1984. [9] Tom, who played hockey at Penn State, most recently played professionally for the Indy Fuel of the ECHL and the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL. Despite adding marquee free-agents, the Penguins started the season with a disappointing 8176 record, leading to Olczyk's dismissal on December 15.[5]. However, it feels like there may have also been a little more at play in this particular scenario. 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. The audio of Olczyk saying "This has been tremendously tremendous" was an instant hit among hockey enthusiasts and was the subject of many spoofs online. "For 16 seasons, we were fortunate to have legendary broadcaster Eddie Olczyk bring Chicago Blackhawks hockey into the homes of our fans. Their daughter, Alexandra is a student at the University of Alabama. His older fans followed him from his days in National Hockey League while his younger fans . Zandra is a student at the University of Alabama. We appreciate his many contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors.. "I have been working with outstanding health care professionals and expect to be back in the broadcast booth after I complete my treatment," Olczyk said in a statement issued by the Blackhawks on Tuesday. I mean that's just the reality of the world we live in. He wouldn't rule out the possibility of maybe the Inside The NBA guys playing a part in some broadcasts. He would have been honest, but also positive, about the new direction. "I've always tied it somehow. Will M's decision to stick with J.P. Crawford at shortstop pay off. Posting comments is now limited to subscribers only. After that, he became one of the best color commentators in the sport. It started with multiple reports detailing that he was stepping away. 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. That became more complicated when the family moved from Niles, a northwest Chicago suburb, to Palos Heights, a southwest suburb, and Eddie still had practices in the northwest suburbs. In 1987, Olczyk was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs with Al Secord for Rick Vaive, Steve Thomas, and Bob McGill.[3]. My plan, full honesty, was then to make the jump to the American League for five years and then have 10 years in the minors and then maybe get a chance in the NHL. But Danny and Jaime had come out this year, and we spent time with them. They showed an extreme interest in wanting me, or at least exploring the opportunity, Olczyk said of the Kraken. Theres a hockey history here, but you always have to assume theres somebody new watching, Olczyk said. 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