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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. And so, when extension talks with the Blackhawks snagged this summer, Olczyk didnt hesitate when his brothers team made their pitch. He is a class act. Steele retired all six Padres batters he faced, then headed to the bullpen to throw 25 more pitches. Im sure there will be a day where its pouring rain, and Ill call you, like, hey, its raining here, just so you know, and it hasnt stopped.. When Eddie Olczyk left the Chicago Blackhawks broadcast booth, there were reports that he would eventually land on his feet in Seattle. According to multiple media reports, Eddie Olczyk is leaving his role as the color analyst for NBC Sports Chicago's broadcasts of Blackhawks games. Im not confident that theyll find their permanent fit by next season. About 25 years ago, Diana O. ranin the Pocahontas Stakes while Eddie was in Winnipeg for the hockey game. It will be a growing season within the booth next year for sure. But, with the attention surrounding the story, he couldn't help but clear the air. The credibility that Olczyk brought to his role was second to none. Posting comments is now limited to subscribers only. Nick once elaborated how hockey crazy the family is, We have a plaque, actually, in our house right when you walk in the foyer that says, We interrupt this family for hockey. I think thats a perfect slogan if you can quote our family.. Olczyk also has an interest in Thoroughbred horse racing, appearing in advertisements for Xpressbet and serving as a guest commentator and handicapper for major horse racing events such as the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes on NBC networks, and on WGN Sports coverage of the Arlington Million that is fed nationally. He has learned to sleep on planes over the years, so that helps. . Im like, I dont know what the hell youre talking about. 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. The Hawks have been undergoing turnover in seemingly every facet of business and hockey operations. In his NBC Sports horse racing debut on June 28, 2014, Olczyk correctly picked the longshot winner in both races on the $500,000 Gold Cup in the "Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In" telecast. He was also inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. There is something fun about being a pioneer, Leiweke said. SEATTLE Eddie Olczyk pulls out his keycard and swipes it to enter one door. Whos to say the Blackhawks cant find another as they were lucky enough to find two? It was a thrill for me to see both sons be so good and successful. 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. But giving a woman this kind of rein would certainly be a good look for an organization that has been through the mud politically these past few seasons.Or it could backfire. CHICAGO (AP) Eddie Olczyk is leaving the Chicago Blackhawks after 16 years as a color commentator on their television broadcasts. Despite his arrival at Turner for hockey, Olczyks deal will allow him to remain at NBC to cover handicap horse racing. Every time he was traded or signed to a new team, the family had to pick up and move to a new home. He was teammates with Eddie and now works with Ricky, and Francis wasn't surprised the brothers each reached the NHL. Editorial Reviews. Where Is Damani Whitlock from Last Chance U Season 2 Now? Thats the pull announcers have in Chicago. "I remember times when my mom would drive me in the car with my gear," Eddie said. We admire you, and were lucky to have you as part of our extended family.. Their daughter, Alexandra is a student at the University of Alabama. "I guess I'm not, knowing the family and their background," Francis said. The yellow pamphlet was an invitation to learn how to skate at Ballard Sports Complex in Niles, Illinois. Its impossible to replace legendary broadcasters like Olczyk, so its hard for anyone to live up to those expectations. Given our age discrepancy its four years older for the record he and I were never able to play against each other or on the same team in any sport. Olczyk won't return as a color commentator for Hawks games on NBC Sports Chicago,. And Olczyk is still awaiting a finalized national broadcast schedule from TNT before he knows which ROOT games hell do. No matter where they lived, the boys didnt let go of their hockey dreams. 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. By: Caroline John - Published: August 9, 2017 at 10:20 am, Photo: Ronald Martinez / Staff/ Getty Images. They're just good people and hardworking. Ed Olczyk Position: C Shoots: Left 6-1 , 207lb (185cm, 93kg) Born: August 16 , 1966 (Age: 56-199d) in Chicago, Illinois us Draft: Chicago, 1st round (3rd overall), 1984 NHL Entry As Coach: 2 Yrs, 316418, 80 Pts. Well, now two different voices. When Nick had expressed an interest in broadcasting after his college career, Olczyk encouraged him to seek opportunities anywhere he could. One of the best in the business. Not confident at all. Eddie Olczyk @Edzo16. I had an incredible conversation with [chairman Rocky Wirtz], met with him in person, as well as Danny [Wirtz] and Jaime [Faulkner]. Twenty is a nice round number. Theres great disappointment, but this was my decision. The facts are simple. For someone whos done so much not just for the Blackhawks but the Chicago community, it seems like the organization totally misread the room. He coached the Penguins for two seasons between 2003-05, going 31-64-10 with eight ties. I never dreamed hed make it to the NHL this fast, and it was an unfortunate circumstance. You think of Kane and Toews on the ice and Pat and Eddie in the booth. 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His older fans followed him from his days in National Hockey League while his younger fans . As time passed and Olczyk hadnt signed a new contract with the Blackhawks, there was the growing possibility he could become a free agent. Nevertheless, he will always be a Blackhawk and will forever be part of the Chicago family. SUMMARY No one will know the real reasons the contract went into the paper shredder. T Eddie Olczyk is moving on from the organization after 16 seasons as the team's TV color analyst, a source confirmed to NBC Sports Chicago. "For 16 seasons, we were fortunate to. The family shared Eddie's hockey journey, turning out-of-state hockey tournaments into vacations. He has one sibling Rick Olczyk, who is additionally engaged with hockey calling. They couldn't come to terms on a new contract. His brother, Ricky, was in the front office. Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) August 11, 2022 Playing Career Back on June 9, 1984 the Chicago Blackhawks selected 20 year old Chicago native Eddie Olczyk third overall. Before he watched the late telecast of the race on TV, his wife called to tell him some grave news about her namesake thoroughbred. He even stated, I will die a Blackhawk. Because of that, he could relay what most were thinking, whether good or bad. According to a source, the Hawks would not give him the same contract length that the Kraken did. He also doesnt have to wait long to return to Chicago and the United Center. Lightning, his father was diagnosed with colon cancer. He wouldn't rule out the possibility of maybe the Inside The NBA guys playing a part in some broadcasts. One may not agree nor understand. June 7th, 2022 Birthday. Olczyk was also the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins from June 2003 to December 2005. 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. Ill leave it at that. These are some really, really big shoes to fill. [1], Olczyk grew up in Niles, Illinois and Palos Heights, Illinois and went to Brother Rice Catholic High School. Yet the Hawks paved the way for both of their exits, skewing younger and more social-media-savvy. Currently, Rick is an assistant general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes. In 1920 there were 2 Olczyk families living in Michigan. Olczyk will team with John Forslund to form one of the best TV tandems in hockey which the Hawks once had. At 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, he was the most skilled of the "Clydesdales," playing on a line with Troy Murray and Curt Fraser early in his Blackhawks career. On July 18, 2022, Olczyk left the Blackhawks following a contract dispute to join the broadcasting team for the Seattle Kraken. Olczyk was pleased the Blackhawks replaced him with Murray and Patrick Sharp, two people he has known and respected for many years. July 23, 2022 by Brooke LoFurno. Eddie will always be part of the Blackhawks family. His amateur career started from the early age but his professional career started only from 1984 when he was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks. She would take their sons to their hockey games and trips, carrying three bags of hockey gear, and tied their skates. 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.' Olczyk then turned the mic over to Rocky Wirtz, who thanked everyone for attending before heaping praise on Olczyk. Blackhawks fans: what will you miss the most? Awesome! The record was broken by Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks during the 201516 season. The Blackhawks teardown includes the TV booth. She did radio analysis, and she called a few games on TV. But it was not meant to be. Plus the fact that he always went out of his way to praise his partner, The great Pat Foley.Shucks, nobody calls me, The great Gail Kauchak!. 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. 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. 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 . [citation needed], Olczyk was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks as the third overall pick in the first round of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. However, I feel like that may not be a realistic possibility, considering the teams apparent youth movement. 4.05. Longtime analyst Eddie Olczyk will not return to the team. Eddie III spent a season with the Bloomington Thunder of the SPHL, has been an assistant coach with the Bemidji State Beavers, and is an amateur scout for the Kraken. Everyone's schedule had to be in sync to get to practices on time. Meet the Inspiring NFL On-Air Personality, Who Is Will Hardy? Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis has known the Olczyk family for years. Olczyk, who turns 51 on Aug. 16, had surgery last week, and Chicago Blackhawks team physician Dr. Michael Terry said . He'll be back on his feet, in the booth, and at the track in no time. The Chicago Blackhawks released a statement regarding Eddie Olczyk's decision to leave the team as their color broadcaster and join the Seattle Kraken. Its not what we knew. The trio have provided commentary for every EA Sports NHL game until NHL 19, when Ferraro became the new color commentator. Lets face it; he was the voice of the Blackhawks for the last 16 years. So, Ive always admired that. The Blackhawks seem to like their in-house options such as Caley Chelios and Colby Cohen, and while I think both did well last season, theyre still relatively young and dont have the same credibility or voice of authority that Olczyk brings. The Blackhawks are undergoing a true rebuild, and Olczyk would have been a credible voice for the fans. He was born on August 16, 1966 and his birthplace is Chicago, United States. Over the past year, its been obvious the Blackhawks are trying to get younger in nearly all aspects of their organization, including the broadcast. I feel bad, but its hard not to do that.. Plus, like with all of his contracts, Olczyk had asked his brother, Ricky, a former lawyer, to look it over before signing. "[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]. And coming out of those heavy days, entering the final year of his Blackhawks broadcast deal, Olczyk, 55, decided there was a remaining hockey dream hed like to fulfill if afforded the opportunity. 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. Hell join the ROOT Sports booth alongside incumbent Kraken play-by-play voice John Forslund a former NBC Sports teammate on national broadcasts and analyst JT Brown. Eddie went on to become one of the United States' top players. Hes taken in some of the scenery and gotten to know the area. The news of Olczyk leaving the Blackhawks. 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. Look, I never thought Id leave home. Nothing is said in exchange, and he carries on. FACT CHECK: Dave Ramsey Made a Statement About America Online, FACT CHECK: CIA Director Gina Haspel Found Dead, FACT CHECK: Kwik Trip Launches Kwik Strip Gentlemens Clubs, Eddie Olczyk has a high-flying career literally. His travel is longer. Book a personalized video $49. He continues through another door that leads him outside, then through another door back inside. The decision left Hawks' fans confused. 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. The success the Olczyk family has had in the sport can largely be credited to the sacrifices Diana and her husband, Ed, made early in Eddie's career. "We'd park at the tollway oasis, walk together, meet halfway. That something new is the Seattle Kraken. "It's neat," Ricky said. Eddie III played in the Southern Professional Hockey League with Bloomington Thunder. 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. Pat Foley (born 1954) is an American retired play-by-play commentator for ice hockey . Diana Olczyk and Eddie Olczyk are the parents of 4 children Eddie Olczyk is happily married to Diana Olczyk.. In negotiations, sometimes you cant come to terms, and thats what happened here., The Hawks released a statement: For 16 seasons, we were fortunate to have legendary broadcaster Eddie Olczyk bring Chicago Blackhawks hockey into the homes of our fans. For an Original Six franchise, the Blackhawks need to do right by their fans here, which lately hasnt always been the case. Eddie Olczyk (right) and Pat Foley are calling Blackhawks playoff games together but apart. Olczyk's brother Ricky is a Kraken assistant general manager, his son Eddie is an amateur scout and general manager Ron Francis is a close friend. [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. ", Powers: Olczyk family living the hockey life. 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 . He took a break from his broadcast activities and is currently receiving treatment. CHICAGO -- Eddie Olczyk is leaving the Chicago Blackhawks after 16 years as a color commentator on their television broadcasts.. He's expected to work Seattle Kraken games next season, joining the . "I knew what I wanted to do when I was 12 years old. "I think we've gotten closer," Ricky said. They were hoping Eddie would be a bridge to that newness. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. He had 794 points (342 goals, 452 assists) in 1,031 games for the Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs, and was part of the Rangers' 1994 Stanley Cup championship. He understands Chicago fans, and he connected with them so well because of that. Everything else is a bit of an adjustment. And so when I got sick, theres some peace with that.. Despite adding marquee free-agents, the Penguins started the season with a disappointing 8176 record, leading to Olczyk's dismissal on December 15.[5]. Heres what you need to know about Eddie Olczyks wife, Diana Olczyk. In any case, we are obscure to the character of his folks. And it all began with that little yellow pamphlet. 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. Related: Blackhawks 4 Best Options to Replace Eddie Olczyk as TV Analyst. The Olczyk family didnt have it easy when Eddie played in the NHL. We all simply have to get used to a different voice. Nick played for the Colorado College Tigers and, in 2022, became a television studio analyst for the Seattle Kraken. My family and I appreciate privacy during this time as we focus our attention on my treatments.". Eddie's sons are continuing the hockey tradition in the Olczyk family. Im sure Sharpie will probably have it taped off and let me know theres a password to get in there.. "Negotiations are hard," Olczyk said. We . Between working as an analyst for NBC, the Chicago Blackhawks, and. Toward the end of this weeks interview, Olczyks son emerged from the Krakens offices to get his dad for a scheduled broadcast meeting. As though the Blackhawks were giving onlookers much to be optimistic about in the first place, their ability to find the right fit in this regard that quickly seems farfetched at best. Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Olczyk surname lived. Olczyk has several connections to the Kraken. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. She was in the studio for pre-game, post-game, and intermission analysis. This is the official podcast of the Seattle Kraken! Hell join the Krakens booth next season. Tommy, 25, is a senior forward for . Eddie Olczyk is leaving the Chicago Blackhawks after 16 years as a color commentator on their television broadcasts. Diana and Eddie Olczyk are parents to four children. He called the Blackhawks' games through a historic run of championship hockey. He's expected to work Seattle Kraken games next season. However, it took him a long time to return to loving horse racing again. It is Nov. 10, 1990 and Eddie Olczyk's wife is well into labour at a Scarborough hospital. And the rumor mill started swirling. 1 draft choice for his hometown Chicago Blackhawks. "Once you're in, you're in," said Eddie, 49, who is an analyst for the Chicago Blackhawks and nationally for NBC. Eddie Olczyk had built a life and career most people could only dream of. Not solely because of the Olczyk news, but more so because of all that led up to it. [1] Career [ edit] Well. He was selected by the Blackhawks with the third pick in the 1984 NHL Draft, and played five seasons for them (1984-87, 1998-2000). As a youth, Olczyk played in the 1978 and 1979 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a minor ice hockey team from Chicago. He never anticipated last season would be his last with the organization. Perfect hires, Blackhawks forever, and so I think its a win-win for them doing the games, Olczyk said.