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 family has received after his father was diagnosed with colon cancer last week: Tweet from @Edzo16: Thank you for your support pic.twitter.com/MdKuObmPr6, "After what has been a very emotional number of days for my family, I'd like to say thank you for the unbelievable amount of support we have received," said Olczyk Jr., an assistant hockey coach at Bemidji State University. He has his gig with TNT to call national hockey games and he reportedly is in agreement to broadcast games with the Seattle Kraken (even though he didn't verbally admit it). 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. His contract with the Blackhawks expired on June 30, and a team source said the leadership group was "blindsided" by Olczyk's decision to leave. Eddie Olczyk's cancer battle was an extended family affair - Arizona Sports 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. He also did interim Blackhawks radio work last season after their analyst, Troy Murray, was diagnosed with cancer. Among the three brothers, the family agrees that Nick is the best hockey player, second only to their father. Chicago Blackhawks legend Eddie Olczyk announces departure Of course, not knowing the details of the negotiation, its hard to gauge what that offer may or may not have looked like. Its just not the same, but that doesnt mean its bad. The facts are simple. Eddie Olczyk discusses surviving colon cancer, return to booth - Sports Whether coming to Seattle from Chicago, where he and his wife still have their home, or most cities he visits with TNT, the flights are simply longer. He underwent a surgical procedure to remove the tumor. 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. Blackhawks 'disappointed' with Eddie Olczyk's departure in - Yahoo! We just could not come to terms on a contract, and I have stepped away, Eddie Olczyk told the Sun-Times on Monday. Olczyk is one of the best analysts in not just the NHL but all of professional sports. But, with the attention surrounding the story, he couldn't help but clear the air. We are going to miss him as much as our fans will. Im not very confident. And so, when extension talks with the Blackhawks snagged this summer, Olczyk didnt hesitate when his brothers team made their pitch. 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. Ricky has been the [family] captain and caretaker of my dad. 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 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. "I had a great meeting earlier today with Rocky Wirtz and had a great meeting with Danny Wirtz and Jaime Faulkner. Tommy Olczyk, the face of Penn State hockey Despite his arrival at Turner for hockey, Olczyks deal will allow him to remain at NBC to cover handicap horse racing. She would take their sons to their hockey games and trips, carrying three bags of hockey gear, and tied their skates. 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.. Eddie Olczyk won't return as the Chicago Blackhawks TV analyst and 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. [11], Rick Olczyk, Eddie's younger brother, is a former hockey player for Brown University and became an assistant general manager for the Kraken in 2019. Eddie will always be part of the Blackhawks family." Olczyk, a Chicago native who was drafted by the Blackhawks third overall in 1984, has been . Reports: Eddie Olczyk leaving Blackhawks broadcast booth We're truly grateful and appreciative of it. My plan was to be in Indy for four years, and then I was starting to put feelers out for American League color jobs, said Nick, who was hired, along with Alison Lukan, for a studio analyst role this season. He didnt elaborate on theirlove story, but obviously, it worked out well for this longtime married couple. "I guess I'm not, knowing the family and their background," Francis said. Instead, Olczyk will join the Kraken while remaining as an analyst for TNT. Meet the Inspiring NFL On-Air Personality, Who Is Will Hardy? "I've always tied it somehow. He also currently serves as the Horse Racing Handicapper and Analyst for NBC's Horse Racing Coverage. In any case, we are obscure to the character of his folks. I'm very fortunate to have that relationship with him. Thirteen just wouldn't have the same ring to it. CHICAGO -- Diana Olczyk can still remember the color of the pamphlet her oldest son, Eddie Olczyk, handed her more than 40 years ago, the one that started it all. After that, he became one of the best color commentators in the sport. There was a contract on the table, but I have decided to step away. He then moved to Canada to play for the Stratford Cullitons junior team before joining the 1984 U.S. Olympic hockey team. 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 . That kind of reminds you, 'Work hard and you do what you have to do and it's for your children.' Hockey is a tie that binds for Eddie Olczyk and his family Steele retired all six Padres batters he faced, then headed to the bullpen to throw 25 more pitches. Lightning, his father was diagnosed with colon cancer. Eddie Olczyk Bio, Married, Net Worth, Ethnicity, Age, Height Eddie will always be part of the Blackhawks family. 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." He returned to Pittsburgh to become the color commentator for the Penguins on FSN Pittsburgh, where he was given the nickname "Edzo" by current radio announcer and then co-announcer Mike Lange. Olczyk kept saying, It was time to step back. With his brother Ricky being the assistant general manager for the Kraken, Perhaps he just saw this new opportunity as a better way to go out than the slog that will probably be the Blackhawks for years to come. But the Kraken really liked what they saw and felt he could be their Swiss Army knife, so to speak.. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File . On Oct. 15, 2012, Eddie Olczyk before the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2012 induction dinner in Dallas. [8], Olczyk and his wife, Diana, have three sons, all former hockey players, and one daughter. Foley is in a production truck outside the United Center, and Olczyk is at NBC Sports Networks studios in Stamford, Conn. 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I'm just proud as heck.". Broadcasters can rarely connect with a vast audience, and he was able to do that because of how relatable he is. Olczyk already had a ton of reasons to consider joining the Kraken. Whether it was from Winnipeg to Los Angeles or Pittsburgh back to Chicago, there was Diana Olczyk with four kids, carrying three hockey bags, occasionally a diaper bag and tying a lot of skates. This is what I will remember about Eddie O. Eddie Olczyk has a high-flying career literally. Their sons, Nick, Tommy and Eddie III followed their fathers footsteps. Editorial Reviews. Thats an exciting opportunity for him, but it hurts and he will be missed. My dad is the strongest person I know. Reviews. Eddie Olczyk leaving Blackhawks, will join Kraken's broadcast team His own brush with mortality isnt something new Kraken television voice Eddie Olczyk takes lightly; a well-chronicled bout with Stage 3 colon cancer not too long ago he wasnt certain hed survive. Awesome! "I wasn't able to go to the engagement party (on Aug. 6, 2017). 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. Scott Powers is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Chicago Blackhawks. But he drew one, too and it leads to Seattle. Olczyk has several connections to the Kraken. Eddie Olczyk Apr 11 2021 Eddie Olczyk had built a life and career most people could only dream of. 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. He was also inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. According to a source, the Hawks would not give him the same contract length that the Kraken did. Thats just whatever. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis has known the Olczyk family for years. In Seattle, Olczyk will be reunited with occasional TNT platform mate John Forslund on ROOT Sports Northwest and younger brother Rick Olczyk, an assistant GM of the Kraken. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. 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 Olczyks had been more of a football and baseball family to that point, but 6-year-old Eddie wanted to give skating a try. Now, I completely respect Olczyks decision to step aside, especially if the two sides were not willing to come to an agreement. His son Nick discussed a TV studio analyst role with the Kraken and signed with the organization before his father did. And with their family, was always Diana. Eddie Olczyk - Playerswiki July 23, 2022 by Brooke LoFurno. "I kid them every so often, 'You guys never had a real job.' Contents: Edward Walter "Eddie" Olczyk Jr. is an American former professional hockey player and head coach from the United States. Of all the NHL transactions this offseason, one of the most unexpected was Olczyk leaving his hometown team and the Blackhawks broadcast after 16 seasons to join the Kraken. We don't take it for granted. Midway through a radio broadcast last January, Nick made an emergency TV debut filling in for his dad, who was taken to a hospital with what turned out to be a minor illness. Every time he was traded or signed to a new team, the family had to pick up and move to a new home. What weve gone through transitionally, moving, new schools, finding doctors, friends, thats crazy. CHICAGO (AP) Eddie Olczyk is leaving the Chicago Blackhawks after 16 years as a color commentator on their television broadcasts. Their daughter, Alexandra is a student at the University of Alabama. "It was a decision that I wrestled with for a while," Olczyk said on Unfiltered while talking to Pat Boyle. Olczyk was born and raised in Chicago. Someone is seated inside the otherwise-empty restaurant, and Olczyk explains hes going into the other room to be interviewed. Along with being a longtime color commentator for the NHL . Hall of Fame play-by-play voice Pat Foley and Olczyk worked together for 14 years, and they were always entertaining and informative. 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. He was one last thing to cling to, and now he is gone. 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. Olczyk won the Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994 and recorded 342 goals and 452 assists for 794 points in 1,031 regular-season games. His son Eddie was a Kraken amateur scout. That is what Im going to miss. 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. First, he hit on Majestic . The trio have provided commentary for every EA Sports NHL game until NHL 19, when Ferraro became the new color commentator. A post shared by Chicago Blackhawks (@nhlblackhawks). 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 . Edward Walter Olczyk Jr. (/oltk/; 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. 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. Can you guys wear a name tag for me? Despite ample legal trouble, Sizemore had steady film and television credits. Having said that, this is a huge, huge blow for the Blackhawks and their fans. Having the NHL means more opportunities for TNT to use its partnerships with the NBA and All Elite Wrestling for cross-promotion. Eddie Olczyk Biography, Age, Wife, Children, Career, Health, Net worth "For 16 seasons, we were fortunate to have legendary broadcaster Eddie Olczyk bring Chicago Blackhawks hockey into the homes of our fans. Eddie Olczyk Officially Joins the Seattle Kraken Broadcast Team View all (84) Evan. Ill walk in there as I always have and be proud of what Ive been able to do for the franchise over all these years. Olczyk stated, Negotiations are hard. There was a contract on the table, but I have decided to step away. I believe it was a God-given gift to play hockey. NHL trade deadline: Winners and losers, including the Bruins, Devils and Bruce Boudreau? I do have to look over. Im frustrated and sad about this news. And Olczyk is still awaiting a finalized national broadcast schedule from TNT before he knows which ROOT games hell do. Eddie Olczyk has been the Blackhawks TV analyst since 2006. With reports indicating that Olczyk is heading to Seattle for the 2022-23 season, he obviously wasnt suffering for other opportunities. Olczyk's contract expired on June 30. Eddie Olczyk fans are of all ages. I just expressed to them that I felt at this particular time it was best for me step away. That he was a former draft pick made it that much more special to witness. 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. I was lucky enough that I had the support of my folks and I had a gift. Blackhawks Roundtable: Eddie Olczyk's Departure - The Hockey Writers Hell join the Krakens broadcast booth and continue as an analyst for TNT. Speaker Series event to feature Eddie Olczyk - Weirton Daily Times The Blackhawks honored "Edzo" for his induction in a pregame ceremony on February 22, 2013, at the United Center. She did radio analysis, and she called a few games on TV. Hes focused on the present. as well as a few other broadcasts, he accumulated many frequent flier miles! 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. Its impossible to replace legendary broadcasters like Olczyk, so its hard for anyone to live up to those expectations. The broadcasting part of it, you know, just get into the booth, throw the headset on and wherever you are, Olczyk said. He has one brother Rick Olczyk, who is also involved in the hockey profession. He's been the lead hockey analyst for NBC Sports since 2007, working regularly with play-by-play announcer Mike "Doc" Emrick. He was traded several times during his career. Eddie Olczyk is leaving the Chicago Blackhawks after 16 years as a color commentator on their television broadcasts. Im envious of his new colleagues in Seattle and all the people he will influence and mentor there, just like he did in Chicago. An avid enthusiast of thoroughbred horse racing, Eddie Olczyk also served as guest commentator at major horse racing events for NBC Sports. His younger brother, Ricky Olczyk, also fell in love with the game. That's what we did.". Diana Olczyk and Eddie Olczyk are the parents of 4 children Eddie Olczyk is happily married to Diana Olczyk.. To us, family is everything.". The weather has even surprised him. "We'd park at the tollway oasis, walk together, meet halfway. He became, as Boyle put, "the soundtrack" to the Hawks' dynasty. Eddie Olczyk: Birth Realities, Family, and Childhood Edward Walter Olczyk Jr. was conceived on August 16, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. [1], Olczyk grew up in Niles, Illinois and Palos Heights, Illinois and went to Brother Rice Catholic High School. The 18 game streak would remain a Toronto franchise record (tied with Darryl Sittler until being surpassed in December 2022 by Mitch Marner. You think of Kane and Toews on the ice and Pat and Eddie in the booth. When Nick had expressed an interest in broadcasting after his college career, Olczyk encouraged him to seek opportunities anywhere he could. 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. Toward the end of this weeks interview, Olczyks son emerged from the Krakens offices to get his dad for a scheduled broadcast meeting. The Kraken were well aware of Olczyks contract status. When I knew I wasnt going to be back, and the Seattle thing finally came to fruition, to see the schedule, I went, OK, I dont have to wait very long to come back, Olczyk said. Not confident at all. . And just make sure I walk into the right booth. Former New York Ranger Eddie Olczyk talks hockey and cancer Jim Bay Former New York Ranger and NBC hockey analyst Eddie Olczyk. The Sutter family, theyve been able to work together. Olczyk, who has been on Hawks broadcasts since 2006, couldn't reach an agreement with management on a new contract. By: Caroline John - Published: August 9, 2017 at 10:20 am, Photo: Ronald Martinez / Staff/ Getty Images. Olczyk, who has been on Hawks broadcasts since 2006, couldnt reach an agreement with management on a new contract. Look, I never thought Id leave home. But even before Olczyk officially hit the market in July, the Kraken reached out to the Blackhawks and asked permission to talk to him while he was still under contract. During the next season, he was traded back to the Winnipeg Jets for their fifth-round choice (who ended up being Alexei Vasiliev) in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. NHL -- Eddie Olczyk and his familiy are living and loving the hockey life In . We all simply have to get used to a different voice. The first door he tries is locked, so he heads to a second, and that one opens for him. Before he watched the late telecast of the race on TV, his wife called to tell him some grave news about her namesake thoroughbred. . Well, now two different voices. 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. Eddie Olczyk NBC, TNT, Bio, Age, Son, Cancer, Salary, and Net Worth Eddie Olczyk's Son Nick Tags in for Dad on Blackhawks TV Broadcast Anytime you lose a family member, especially a parent, you need the one captain to take the bull by the horns, and Rickys done that. [1] Career [ edit] A few years ago, I got his book Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life, which is a fascinating read. My mom would take my dad's car to go home to go south. 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. But as a woman, Im probably a bit partial. Ricky didn't possess the talent Eddie did, though, and his playing days ended in college. Where Is Eddie Olczyk Tonight? Health Problem News Im like, I dont know what the hell youre talking about. He underwent a surgical procedure to remove the tumor. Try a week on us. "Once you're in, you're in," said Eddie, 49, who is an analyst for the Chicago Blackhawks and nationally for NBC. He won the Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994. Olczyk, who has been on Hawks broadcasts since 2006, couldnt reach an agreement with management on a new contract. The root cause of. Olczyk then turned the mic over to Rocky Wirtz, who thanked everyone for attending before heaping praise on Olczyk. As a youth, Olczyk played in the 1978 and 1979 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a minor ice hockey team from Chicago. See Also: Paul Mooney Gay, Net Worth, Wife, Health, Family. Between working as an analyst for NBC, the Chicago Blackhawks, and. Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Olczyk surname lived. Eddie Olczyk (right) and Pat Foley are calling Blackhawks playoff games together but apart. Secure payments & money back guarantee. Tommy, 25, is a senior forward for nationally ranked Penn State. Sign up for our regular 'Blackhawks Newsletter' for all the latest. Olczyk was tied with Phil Kessel for the second-longest point streak by an American-born player in NHL history, at 18 games, having set the original mark in 198990, while with Toronto. Though I understand hes older than some of the teams current broadcasters, he is 100% worth keeping around, even in the worst of times. On July 18, it was announced that beloved Chicago Blackhawks ' broadcaster Eddie Olczyk would leave the organization after serving 16 years as a color . As regards, Eddie's childhood he was raised . 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. The 1984 draft class saw legends like Mario Lemieux, Patrick Roy, and Brett Hull all join the NHL. We appreciate his many contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors.. Eddie's sons are continuing the hockey tradition in the Olczyk family. And its been hard with my mother. His oldest son, also named Eddie, is a 26-year-old assistant coach at Niagara University. Eddie Olczyk Son Two of his children are currently playing hockey. Fallout 4 Now Supports Nvidia, AMD, and Intel Upscaling Thanks to a Mod Diana and Eddie Olczyk are parents to four children. He has also written for the Daily Herald and the Chicago Sun-Times and has been a sportswriter in the Chicagoland area for the past 15 years. Rather, we get to remember the calls that made celebrating their achievements that much more because he was part of sharing the good news. 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. For me, what it did was it reassured me that I was in a pretty good place before I was sick. 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. The Blackhawks teardown includes the TV booth. We appreciate his many . 204 ratings24 reviews. How Eddie Olczyk found comfort in the Kraken after leaving the Honestly, you could probably put Olczyk in any hockey TV booth around the league and hed be more than fine. Eddie Olczyk, Perry Lefko. My husband worked a lot of hours. Thats the pull announcers have in Chicago. Sure, youre getting older, and the glory days might be more behind you than in front of you. Olczyk still doesnt want to get too into why he passed on the Blackhawks contract offer and ultimately left the team. Book excerpt from Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life This is my decision. "I remember times when my mom would drive me in the car with my gear," Eddie said.
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