All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. He often traveled for NHL games and his work still leads him to travel across the country. Yet the Hawks paved the way for both of their exits, skewing younger and more social-media-savvy. Olczyk won't return as a color commentator for Hawks games on NBC Sports Chicago,. Hell be there on Sunday as the Kraken visit the Blackhawks. But I am also happy for him as he has a lot of family connections in Seattle. Tommy, 25, is a senior forward for nationally ranked Penn State. Before he watched the late telecast of the race on TV, his wife called to tell him some grave news about her namesake thoroughbred. Despite his arrival at Turner for hockey, Olczyks deal will allow him to remain at NBC to cover handicap horse racing. Eddie Olczyk is leaving the Chicago Blackhawks after 16 years as a color commentator on their television broadcasts. Olczyk was born and raised in Chicago. Youre a proven star. As a youth, Olczyk played in the 1978 and 1979 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a minor ice hockey team from Chicago. And its been hard with my mother. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. How could he? (Photo courtesty of NBC Sports) Eddie Olczyk played five seasons with the New York Rangers and was part of their Stanley Cup championship team in 1994. 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. On Buzzlearn.com, Eddie is listed as a successful Hockey Player who was born in the year of 1966. Eddie Olczyk revealed that he has cancer but wont let it defeat him thanks to the support of his wife and family. Olczyk, who turns 51 on Aug. 16, had surgery last week, and Chicago Blackhawks team physician Dr. Michael Terry said . Eddie's sons are continuing the hockey tradition in the Olczyk family. Eddie Olszyk Jr., the son of former NHL forward and NBC Sports hockey analyst Eddie Olszyk, released the following statement on Twitter Thursday, in response to the countless messages the family received after his father was diagnosed with colon cancer. With Kevin Durant now in the mix, the new-look Suns showed the Bulls just how much firepower they have. All Rights Reserved. Former New York Ranger Eddie Olczyk talks hockey and cancer Jim Bay Former New York Ranger and NBC hockey analyst Eddie Olczyk. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame on February 22, 2013. Thats a fact. We went to the bank and borrowed $675 and signed a promissory note so he could go on a hockey trip. Pat Foley (born 1954) is an American retired play-by-play commentator for ice hockey . He played 16 seasons in the NHL, coached in the NHL and is now one of the game's most recognizable television commentators. But despite Rocky Wirtzs feelings for him, the Hawks drew a line with Olczyk. . Like the Blackhawks who seemed to always put competing at the forefront, Eddie led with passion in all he did for the franchise. He's been the lead hockey analyst for NBC Sports since 2007, working regularly with play-by-play announcer Mike "Doc" Emrick. They were hoping Eddie would be a bridge to that newness. The 18 game streak would remain a Toronto franchise record (tied with Darryl Sittler until being surpassed in December 2022 by Mitch Marner. They could have offered him more money or a longer contract. His tiring flight schedule throughout his career had an upside. "I had a great meeting earlier today with Rocky Wirtz and had a great meeting with Danny Wirtz and Jaime Faulkner. Im not confident that theyll find their permanent fit by next season. Itll be great to be back home and Im sure it will be emotional for me on the inside, for sure. Their youngest son, Nick, plays for the South Shore Kings of the U.S. Premier Hockey League and plays for Colorado College. 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. Coach Red was one of the kindest and most knowledgeable human beings I was lucky enough to play for, and learn from in the game and in life. Or do you want to spend your remaining time in the limelight youve always known? And with their family, was always Diana. Brown on the local TV Seattle broadcast in the evening. Would she thrive in a bigger role? Try a week on us. Along with being a longtime color commentator for the NHL . Olczyks son spent four seasons as a radio analyst on ECHL Indy Fuel broadcasts. His oldest son, also named Eddie, is a 26-year-old assistant coach at Niagara University. From a broadcast standpoint, nothing has been different for Olczyk working for the Kraken. 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? Eddie's youngest son, Nick, 19, plays for the South Shore Kings of the U.S. Premier Hockey League and will play at Colorado College beginning next season. Eddie III played in the Southern Professional Hockey League with Bloomington Thunder. Its impossible to replace legendary broadcasters like Olczyk, so its hard for anyone to live up to those expectations. Its not what we knew. Not because its not possible, but more so because the void that Foley and Olczyk leave will be extremely difficult to fill. I had one goal. Eddie Olczyk @Edzo16. Nicks hiring by the Kraken did help make Olczyks decision easier. Olczyk is the latest big name to leave the organization, which has been undergoing turnover in seemingly every facet of business and hockey operations. He also did interim Blackhawks radio work last season after their analyst, Troy Murray, was diagnosed with cancer. 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. 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 had worked many national games with Forslund over the years, so there was immediate comfort there. Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis has known the Olczyk family for years. He was named a captain at Brown University during his senior season. Well, now two different voices. He went to a couple of Seattle Mariners games. But, he hopes you enjoyed his time in Chicago. On Oct. 15, 2012, Eddie Olczyk before the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2012 induction dinner in Dallas. [2] He is an alumnus of Loyola Academy and Michigan State University, with a Bachelor of Science in telecommunications from the latter. Ed Olczyk is a member of NBC's Horse Racing coverage. 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Michelle Muscatello Leaving WPRI: Where Is the Rhode Island Meteorologist Going? But like I said, the situation dictated itself, and the offer was too good to refuse, and I get an opportunity to work with my family. Eddie will always be part of the Blackhawks family. No matter where they lived, the boys didnt let go of their hockey dreams. Olczyk was recently named the NHL Hockey Fights Cancer Ambassador for the 2019-20 season and his new book " Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life " tells the story of his fight . "I think both sides certainly expected to get a contract done.". He was one last thing to cling to, and now he is gone. He wouldn't rule out the possibility of maybe the Inside The NBA guys playing a part in some broadcasts. He truly became the face of the franchise with Foley, and they are what made people feel at home when watching games. I never dreamed hed make it to the NHL this fast, and it was an unfortunate circumstance. In 1992, he was traded for the third time in his career, this time to the New York Rangers for Kris King and Tie Domi. And he isnt just reuniting with his brother. 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. 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. "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. On December 30, 2010, it was announced that Foley and Olczyk signed a three-year extension to stay with the Blackhawks. Later tied by Phil Kessel, the record would stand until being passed by Patrick Kane in 2015-16 season. Steele retired all six Padres batters he faced, then headed to the bullpen to throw 25 more pitches. Once the time came, the longtime broadcaster initiated meetings with Rocky and Danny Wirtz and Jaime Faulkner. And it all began with that little yellow pamphlet. The couple is blessed with four children namely Nick Olczyk, Zandra Olczyk, Tom Olczyk, and Eddie Olczyk.. All of his sons are involved in hockey as Nick and Tom are currently playing professional hockey and Eddie is a former player who currently is an assistant coach for Niagara . He joined the Hurricanes as assistant general manager in June 2014. It was on a flight with the Chicago Blackhawks, who picked him in 1984 NHL draft, that he met Diana. 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. A post shared by Chicago Blackhawks (@nhlblackhawks). In the past two years, he also has covered Triple Crown and other major horse racing events for NBC. Not solely because of the Olczyk news, but more so because of all that led up to it.