I believe it was a God-given gift to play hockey. Reviews. In the 1989-90 season, Olczyk recorded an 18 game point streak, setting the record for longest point streak by an American player. Try a week on us. Beginning with the 200607 NHL season, Olczyk was the color commentator for the Chicago Blackhawks television broadcasts, partnering play-by-play announcer Pat Foley. The Blackhawks teardown includes the TV booth. They showed an extreme interest in wanting me, or at least exploring the opportunity, Olczyk said of the Kraken. He's expected to work Seattle Kraken games next season. "At the end of the day it is always about money and terms. The grueling ordeal, chronicled in hisBeating the Odds: In Hockey and in Lifebook co-authored with Perry Lefko, ended in March 2018 when he announced on-air he was cancer-free. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. He used to drive from Chicago to Indianapolis to make 50 bucks a game, Olczyk said. He is a class act. I just expressed to them that I felt at this particular time it was best for me step away. This is what I will remember about Eddie O. That's what we did.". Its impossible to replace legendary broadcasters like Olczyk, so its hard for anyone to live up to those expectations. [10] Olczyk's daughter Zandra attended the University of Alabama. 204 ratings24 reviews. Yet the Hawks paved the way for both of their exits, skewing younger and more social-media-savvy. Chicago Blackhawks legend Eddie Olczyk announces departure However, it feels like there may have also been a little more at play in this particular scenario. Between working as an analyst for NBC, the Chicago Blackhawks, and. Their sons, Nick, Tommy and Eddie III followed their fathers footsteps. Its tough to say. Eddie Olczyk, Former NHL player, coach, and commentator It was not until August 4, 2017, that his life changed forever. Tommy, 25, is a senior forward for . Look, I never thought Id leave home. Olczyk will team with John Forslund to form one of the best TV tandems in hockey which the Hawks once had. Eddie Olczyk Officially Joins the Seattle Kraken Broadcast Team 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. How Eddie Olczyk found comfort in the Kraken after leaving the [13] In March 2018, Olczyk announced that he was officially "cancer-free. 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 was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. Eddie Olczyk leaving Blackhawks, will join Kraken's broadcast team I know how close their family is and I know how close we are as a family. Just the timing is what it is, and you have to make those decisions. Nevertheless, he will always be a Blackhawk and will forever be part of the Chicago family. 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. Eddie Olczyk leaves Blackhawks broadcast, set to join Kraken Their daughter, Alexandra is a student at the University of Alabama. Their sons, Nick, Tommy and Eddie III followed their father's footsteps. Eddie Olczyk was ready to give up. He played 16 seasons in the NHL, coached in the NHL and is now one of the game's most recognizable television commentators. He was born and raised here, and he played for the Blackhawks. June 7th, 2022 Birthday. (from Eddie Olczyk leaving Blackhawks, will join Krakens broadcast team, The AthleticNHL, 07/18/2022) Sharp indicated in the past he wasnt sure if he would want to deal with live color broadcasting. So to be around him more, I know my mom is smiling, which makes us all feel pretty good.. Hall of Fame play-by-play voice Pat Foley and Olczyk worked together for 14 years, and they were always entertaining and informative. On behalf of the Writz family, thank you for what you do for us every day. I'm proud as heck. These are some really, really big shoes to fill. How could he? 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. His brother Ricky is an assistant general manager, his son Eddie is an amateur scout and general manager Ron Francis is a close friend. 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. Olczyk has rented a two-bedroom apartment in the Seattle suburb of Bellevue. Blackhawks 'disappointed' with Eddie Olczyk's departure in - Yahoo! EDDIE OLCZYK - NBC Sports PressboxNBC Sports Pressbox According to multiple media reports, Eddie Olczyk is leaving his role as the color analyst for NBC Sports Chicago's broadcasts of Blackhawks games. Eddie Olczyk Son Two of his children are currently playing hockey. Ed Olczyk Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Salary, Title | Hockey We . This is the official podcast of the Seattle Kraken! 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. 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. In 1920 there were 2 Olczyk families living in Michigan. To us, family is everything.". He finished his career in Chicago. My mom would take my dad's car to go home to go south. The trio have provided commentary for every EA Sports NHL game until NHL 19, when Ferraro became the new color commentator. The Chicago Blackhawks released a statement regarding Eddie Olczyk's decision to leave the team as their color broadcaster and join the Seattle Kraken. The NFL pro-turned-sports-analysts life revolves around hockey and Eddie Olczyks wife is also a fan of the sport. Eddie Olczyk leaving Chicago Blackhawks broadcast booth, expected to He wanted theopportunity to join the winners circle with Diana O. one day. 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. He was one last thing to cling to, and now he is gone. View all (84) Evan. Like many Blackhawks fans, Edzo has done a lot for me. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. One of the best in the business. 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. Despite his arrival at Turner for hockey, Olczyks deal will allow him to remain at NBC to cover handicap horse racing. Eddie Olczyk's son Nick, who has been one of the radio color analyst fill-ins for Troy Murray this season, made his television debut that night and anybody watching and listening could notice the . We all simply have to get used to a different voice. 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. We're able to talk about anything and everything. 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. Eddie Olczyk was born on August 16, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Hed 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 center Olczyk spent years as a Blackhawks player and 15 more as a broadcaster working their games. We appreciate his many contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors.. And just make sure I walk into the right booth. Eddie Olczyk has been the Blackhawks TV analyst since 2006. He's been the lead hockey analyst for NBC Sports since 2007, working regularly with play-by-play announcer Mike "Doc" Emrick. I suspect that well see a cast of characters come and go throughout the season, each taking their rightful turn at proving why the role should be theirs. "I think we've gotten closer," Ricky said. Rozner: Family, friends helping Blackhawks great Eddie Olczyk in his Blackhawks Roundtable: Eddie Olczyk's Departure - The Hockey Writers Ill leave it at that. 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. Its the first time hes been on the same team as his older brother, Eddie. Eddie Olczyk Wife He married a beutiful woman called Diana Olczyk. Diana Olczyk and Eddie Olczyk are the parents of 4 children Eddie Olczyk is happily married to Diana Olczyk.. Olczyk was born and raised in Chicago. He went to a couple of Seattle Mariners games. Former New York Ranger Eddie Olczyk talks hockey and cancer 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. Foley is in a production truck outside the United Center, and Olczyk is at NBC Sports Networks studios in Stamford, Conn. "Again, his love for hockey and his passion, and my love and passion for hockey is a common bond. There was a contract on the table, but I have decided to step 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. Honestly, more disappointed than surprised. The Hawks and Olczyk reached a verbal agreement to create another contract before then. Former NHLer Olczyk hopes to inspire others after battling colon cancer 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. I'm just proud as heck.". Over the past year, its been obvious the Blackhawks are trying to get younger in nearly all aspects of their organization, including the broadcast. For me, what it did was it reassured me that I was in a pretty good place before I was sick. 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? "How ironic," Olczyk said . The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times. He is currently assistant general manager for the Carolina Hurricanes. Its just not the same, but that doesnt mean its bad. His son Nick discussed a TV studio analyst role with the Kraken and signed with the organization before his father did. He was teammates with Eddie and now works with Ricky, and Francis wasn't surprised the brothers each reached the NHL. 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 . She was in the studio for pre-game, post-game, and intermission analysis. As a youth, Olczyk played in the 1978 and 1979 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a minor ice hockey team from Chicago. But either way, it doesnt paint the best picture for the team. Edward Walter Olczyk Jr. (/ o l t k /; 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.He won the Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994. Who Is Kimmi Chex? This wasnt Olczyk navigating through the United Center and meeting his son to watch the Chicago Blackhawks practice before a broadcast. Contents: Edward Walter "Eddie" Olczyk Jr. is an American former professional hockey player and head coach from the United States. My family and I appreciate privacy during this time as we focus our attention on my treatments.". But, he hopes you enjoyed his time in Chicago. Zandra is a student at the University of Alabama. 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. With Eddie and Ricky being four years apart and Eddie leaving home when he was 16 to play hockey, they spent only a part of their childhoods together. Eddie Olczyk's cancer battle was an extended family affair - Arizona Sports "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. Brad Johansen Leaving NBC4 Columbus: Where Is the Anchor Going? On July 18, it was announced that beloved Chicago Blackhawks ' broadcaster Eddie Olczyk would leave the organization after serving 16 years as a color . Not confident at all. 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. 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. 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.