Honestly, more disappointed than surprised. Against all odds, he played on the 1984 U.S. Olympic hockey team as a 17-year-old . She would take their sons to their hockey games and trips, carrying three bags of hockey gear, and tied their skates. 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. Eddie Olczyk Son Two of his children are currently playing hockey. If it was me, I would give her a shot. Eddie Olczyk was born on August 16, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. He went to a couple of Seattle Mariners games. He often traveled for NHL games and his work still leads him to travel across the country. But it was not meant to be. Someone is seated inside the otherwise-empty restaurant, and Olczyk explains hes going into the other room to be interviewed. "How ironic," Olczyk said . 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). He and Pat Foley, who is also now gone. Although the news is still shocking, the dust has settled after a few days. Tommy, 25, is a senior forward for nationally ranked Penn State. 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. On Oct. 15, 2012, Eddie Olczyk before the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2012 induction dinner in Dallas. 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. The weathers been unbelievable, Olczyk said. The team will be hard enough to watch. Twenty is a nice round number. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. In the big picture, the Hawks are focused on saving money. Nick played for the Colorado College Tigers and, in 2022, became a television studio analyst for the Seattle Kraken. 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. 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. They already have had significant layoffs in the organization, and now with Foley and Olczyk off the payroll and a cost-saving rebuild underway they can save more. Olczyk was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. He has learned to sleep on planes over the years, so that helps. We are going to miss him as much as our fans will. Good, high-quality broadcasters matter, and with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews being the exception, this feels tougher than losing any player. 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. 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 think that's a perfect slogan if you can quote our family.". The yellow pamphlet was an invitation to learn how to skate at Ballard Sports Complex in Niles, Illinois. I mean that's just the reality of the world we live in. Olczyk took the high road by owning the decision to leave, but he didnt arrive at it alone. And then he started a 16-year long broadcasting journey with them in 2006.. Though I didnt necessarily think this meant Olczyk would leave the booth, Im not necessarily as shocked about this news as others. Its not a great look for the organization, especially knowing that retaining him would be necessary for next seasons struggles. At the same time , Its strange, Nick Olczyk says later. Reviews. 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. [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. 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. Follow Scott on Twitter @byscottpowers, Nick Olczyk, John Forslund and Eddie Olczyk are part of the Krakens broadcast team this season. Diana Olczyk and Eddie Olczyk are the parents of 4 children Eddie Olczyk is happily married to Diana Olczyk.. Welcome to NHL.com, the official site of the National Hockey League, Bienvenue LNH.com , le site officiel de la Ligue nationale de hockey, Tervetuloa NHL:n viralliselle nettisivustolle NHL.comiin, Vlkommen till NHL.com, NHL:s officiella web-sida, Vtejte na NHL.com, oficilnch strnkch National Hockey League, Vitajte na NHL.com, oficilnych strnkach National Hockey League, Willkommen auf NHL.com, der offiziellen Seite der National Hockey League, Bienvenido a NHL.com, el sitio oficial de la National Hockey League. He has more than earned the right to command whatever he wants as far as contracts go. 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. The record was broken by Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks during the 201516 season. She made quite a name for herself as a player wife and mother. Listening to Foley and Olczyk was part of the whole Blackhawks experience. Last season, he got a chance to call his first NHL games for the Blackhawks and did many more than expected when Murray missed games while battling cancer. Perhaps it didnt really matter what the Blackhawks threw his way, as he may have been waiting for the perfect excuse to find his way out of town anyway. He also uses those flights to catch up on whats going on around the league or in horse racing, which he still broadcasts for NBC. And now to have a full-time job as a broadcaster in the NHL, its unbelievable. 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. Thats an exciting opportunity for him, but it hurts and he will be missed. Nick will live there permanently during the season, and Olczyk will take the smaller bedroom when hes in town. With his adoptive family, the Touhys, and other influential . "It's neat," Ricky said. [8], Olczyk and his wife, Diana, have three sons, all former hockey players, and one daughter. In 1987, Olczyk was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs with Al Secord for Rick Vaive, Steve Thomas, and Bob McGill.[3]. On December 30, 2010, it was announced that Foley and Olczyk signed a three-year extension to stay with the Blackhawks. Before leaving to join Team Israel, Cubs prospect Matt Mervis shared why this WBC means so much to him. And the one thing I guess Im proud and excited to say is that I dont. And with their family, was always Diana. 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. 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. Between working as an analyst for NBC, the Chicago Blackhawks, and NHL on Versus as well as a few other broadcasts, he accumulated many frequent flier miles! Eddie Olczyk, Perry Lefko. "I wasn't able to go to the engagement party (on Aug. 6, 2017). The 18 game streak would remain a Toronto franchise record (tied with Darryl Sittler until being surpassed in December 2022 by Mitch Marner. We're able to talk about anything and everything. That's as far as I'm gonna go on that. Olczyk missed much of the 199394 season recovering from a thumb injury suffered in a game versus the Florida Panthers on January 3, 1994; he took part in one playoff game (conference final game 6)[4] and on June 14, 1994, became Stanley Cup champion with the Rangers. (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. 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. Their daughter, Alexandra is a student at the University of Alabama. 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.. [12], On August 8, 2017, Olczyk issued a statement through the Blackhawks to announce that he had been diagnosed with a form of colon cancer. The Hawks and Olczyk reached a verbal agreement to create another contract before then. 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. Eddie Olczyk revealed that he has cancer but wont let it defeat him thanks to the support of his wife and family. Tommy is a nationally ranked senior forward for Penn State. Along with being a longtime color commentator for the NHL . I never thought, to be completely honest, Id get 35 games last year, let alone one. That allowed the Kraken to swoop in. Everything else is a bit of an adjustment. 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. We all simply have to get used to a different voice. And as Olczyk put it, the fans might not enjoy the outcome but he hopes you enjoyed the broadcast. He didnt elaborate on theirlove story, but obviously, it worked out well for this longtime married couple. So to be around him more, I know my mom is smiling, which makes us all feel pretty good.. Besides Nick, Olczyk's brother Ricky is an assistant general manager for the Kraken and son Eddie Jr. is an amateur scout. He also did interim Blackhawks radio work last season after their analyst, Troy Murray, was diagnosed with cancer. In any case, we are obscure to the character of his folks. Next Up In 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. He understands Chicago fans, and he connected with them so well because of that. He's a fighter to the core and is going to beat this. The decision left Hawks' fans confused. Olczyk has several connections to the Kraken. And he isnt just reuniting with his brother. He has one brother Rick Olczyk, who is also involved in the hockey profession. The couple has four children namely Nick, Tom, Rick, and a daughter called Zandra. Brad Johansen Leaving NBC4 Columbus: Where Is the Anchor Going? Blackhawks TV analyst Eddie Olczyk bolts for Seattle Kraken after Hawks talks break down, Eddie Olczyk owns decision to leave Blackhawks, but he didnt arrive at it alone, Cubs Justin Steele back on track after efficient first spring-training start, Cubs spring-training camp thins as WBC participants leave for tournament, Bulls get a painful lesson in what a real playoff team should look like, Sectional final roundup: Simeon, St. Ignatius win in 3A; Oswego East takes down Joliet West in 4A, Blown leads continue plaguing Bulls as Billy Donovan searches for a fix, Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson concludes frenetic trade deadline week with reflective Friday, Dear Abby: When my husbands brother marries, I should be in the wedding, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and wife to invest $250 million in new Chicago research lab, Jose Abreu on life with the Astros and leaving the White Sox, who werent a family in 2022, Chicago police officer was shot and killed in front of kids playing at school: They ran as quickly as possible just to get to safety, Dear Abby: With boyfriends fussy father living here, I feel trapped, Tom Sizemore dies at 61; actor known for Saving Private Ryan, Natural Born Killers. Steele retired all six Padres batters he faced, then headed to the bullpen to throw 25 more pitches. Honestly, you could probably put Olczyk in any hockey TV booth around the league and hed be more than fine. My point is that Olczyk is a man of heart and a man who cares about the game of hockey and anybody else who happens to care about hockey. The wrong time for another loss, as the Bulls were now two games out of a play-in spot. We are going to miss him as much as our fans will. All rights reserved. It was on a flight with the Chicago Blackhawks, who picked him in 1984 NHL draft, that he met Diana. Eddie's sons are continuing the hockey tradition in the Olczyk family. Olczyk was pleased the Blackhawks replaced him with Murray and Patrick Sharp, two people he has known and respected for many years. I want to thank Eddie for his unsuffered commitment to this organization, even in the face of personal challenges, Wirtz said. 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. Having said that, this is a huge, huge blow for the Blackhawks and their fans. Eddie will always be part of the Blackhawks family. 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. Nick offered to do color commentary for the Indy Fuel of the ECHL and would drive from Chicago to Indianapolis to call games beginning in the 2019-20 season. The actor suffered a brain aneurysm Feb. 18 at his Los Angeles home and died in his sleep Friday at a hospital in Burbank, California, his manager said. Saying that tongue-in-cheek as I'm eating my heart out. The 55-year-old spent the past 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks as their TV color . Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. But Danny and Jaime had come out this year, and we spent time with them. Born as Edward Walter "Eddie" Olczyk on 16 August 1966, Ed is a native of Chicago, Illinois. We're truly grateful and appreciative of it. My favorite Edzo moment came back in March 2018, when the Blackhawks were playing the Vancouver Canucks. 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. Olczyk was born and raised in Chicago. Olczyk feels the same. He eventually. Theres great disappointment, but this was my decision. Am I working with Kenny (Albert), or Johnny (Forslund) or Jonesy (Keith Jones) or J.T.? Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. That kind of reminds you, 'Work hard and you do what you have to do and it's for your children.' 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. He joined the Hurricanes as assistant general manager in June 2014. [citation needed], Olczyk was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks as the third overall pick in the first round of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. Currently, Rick is an assistant general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes. The family shared Eddie's hockey journey, turning out-of-state hockey tournaments into vacations. It was five years ago last month that Olczyk announced he was stepping away from NBC work to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments. I feel bad, but its hard not to do that.. Ed Olczyk is a member of NBC's Horse Racing coverage. Everybodys saying, get ready, get ready, the rains coming, the rains coming. Im like, I dont know, maybe. No matter where they lived, the boys didnt let go of their hockey dreams. 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. "I remember times when my mom would drive me in the car with my gear," Eddie said. "We'd park at the tollway oasis, walk together, meet halfway. All you young hockey fans out there, Keep your stick on the ice!, Stop it right there. Eddie preserved the puck from the game he played that day and wrote Diana O. on it. 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. 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. "Our lives are hockey," Nick said. However, because we dont know what the conversations looked like, its hard to gauge what went into the decision entirely. That is what Im going to miss. He then moved to Canada to play for the Stratford Cullitons junior team before joining the 1984 U.S. Olympic hockey team. You think of Kane and Toews on the ice and Pat and Eddie in the booth. Tommy, 25, is a senior forward for . Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. He called the Blackhawks' games through a historic run of championship hockey. He continues through another door that leads him outside, then through another door back inside. Sign up for our regular 'Blackhawks Newsletter' for all the latest. 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!. See Also: Paul Mooney Gay, Net Worth, Wife, Health, Family. Awesome! Eddie went on to become one of the United States' top players. Scott Powers is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Chicago Blackhawks. His son Eddie was a Kraken amateur scout. He played 16 seasons in the NHL, coached in the NHL and is now one of the game's most recognizable television commentators. The Blackhawks teardown includes the TV booth. 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. But I am also happy for him as he has a lot of family connections in Seattle. A post shared by Chicago Blackhawks (@nhlblackhawks). During the games first intermission, he announced he was cancer-free, and his openness during and after his battle never failed to amaze me. And so, it was fully wanting to ask their permission, and we just took our time.. Well, now two different voices. Eddie Olczyk owns decision to leave Blackhawks, but he didnt arrive at it alone, Cubs Justin Steele back on track after efficient first spring-training start, Cubs spring-training camp thins as WBC participants leave for tournament, Bulls get a painful lesson in what a real playoff team should look like, Sectional final roundup: Simeon, St. Ignatius win in 3A; Oswego East takes down Joliet West in 4A, Blown leads continue plaguing Bulls as Billy Donovan searches for a fix, Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson concludes frenetic trade deadline week with reflective Friday, Dear Abby: When my husbands brother marries, I should be in the wedding, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and wife to invest $250 million in new Chicago research lab, Jose Abreu on life with the Astros and leaving the White Sox, who werent a family in 2022, Chicago police officer was shot and killed in front of kids playing at school: They ran as quickly as possible just to get to safety, Dear Abby: With boyfriends fussy father living here, I feel trapped, Tom Sizemore dies at 61; actor known for Saving Private Ryan, Natural Born Killers.
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