If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Thats as far as Im gonna go on that. 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. But the Kraken really liked what they saw and felt he could be their Swiss Army knife, so to speak.. And so to be able to work with him, its extremely satisfying, gratifying. NHL trade deadline: Winners and losers, including the Bruins, Devils and Bruce Boudreau? Click here to follow the Blackhawks Talk Podcast. 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. His brother, Rick Olczyk, is the assistant general manager of the Kraken, and his son Eddie, Jr., is an amateur scout for the team. But I am also happy for him as he has a lot of family connections in Seattle. Foley is in a production truck outside the United Center, and Olczyk is at NBC Sports Networks studios in Stamford, Conn. The news of Olczyk leaving the Blackhawks. And Olczyk is still awaiting a finalized national broadcast schedule from TNT before he knows which ROOT games hell do. I was looking forward to hearing Olczyk next season, as the club is not expected to be good, and he is always entertaining to listen to. But Danny and Jaime had come out this year, and we spent time with them. (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. Eddie Olczyk has been the Blackhawks TV analyst since 2006. Seated a row behind him is his youngest son, Nick Olczyk, who is preparing for the nights TV broadcast. Exactly one year after his diagnosis, there was one goal remaining: Olczyk was to watch son Eddie Jr. get married Saturday. 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. Olczyk explained he tried to keep a "low profile" during the day. Theres great disappointment, but this was my decision. Before he watched the late telecast of the race on TV, his wife called to. But lets face it, the Blackhawks are trying to start anew. 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. But, with the attention surrounding the story, he couldn't help but clear the air. One may not agree nor understand. His son, Eddie Jr., who played junior hockey with Brown in the USHL, was already a Kraken scout, while his other son, Nick, has also joined the ROOT broadcast crew. Perfect hires, Blackhawks forever, and so I think its a win-win for them doing the games, Olczyk 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. Beginning with the 200607 NHL season, Olczyk was the color commentator for the Chicago Blackhawks television broadcasts, partnering play-by-play announcer Pat Foley. My favorite Edzo moment came back in March 2018, when the Blackhawks were playing the Vancouver Canucks. I want to make that perfectly clear this was my decision.". Olczyk was also the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins from June 2003 to December 2005. 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. The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times. Hes a Chicago native who grew up a Hawks fan and was the teams first-round draft pick in 1984. Wed never played together, never worked on a team together because of the age and stuff. There was a contract offer on the table. He underwent a surgical procedure to remove the tumor. Honestly, more disappointed than surprised. 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. We are going to miss him as much as our fans will. Olczyk will team with John Forslund to form one of the best TV tandems in hockey which the Hawks once had. The team will be hard enough to watch. Eddie Olczyk was born on August 16, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. 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 moves are not sitting well with fans, who might feel the sting of this more than the rebuild. The trio have provided commentary for every EA Sports NHL game until NHL 19, when Ferraro became the new color commentator. But Tommy, an accounting major with a 3.7 GPA, is the brains ofthe family and they agree he gets it from their mom. If one thing's certain, however, it's that "Eddie-O" will forever be a Chicago legend. 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. as well as a few other broadcasts, he accumulated many frequent flier miles! Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Eddie preserved the puck from the game he played that day and wrote Diana O. on it. 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. We went to the bank and borrowed $675 and signed a promissory note so he could go on a hockey trip. He even stated, I will die a Blackhawk. Because of that, he could relay what most were thinking, whether good or bad. After signing as a free agent with the Los Angeles Kings in 1996, he would not finish the season with them before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Glen Murray. On April 8, 2010, Olczyk returned to Pittsburgh to join more than 50 former Pittsburgh Penguins players being honored in a pregame ceremony before the final regular season game at Civic Arena in Pittsburgh. Sure, youre getting older, and the glory days might be more behind you than in front of you. I want to thank Eddie for his unsuffered commitment to this organization, even in the face of personal challenges, Wirtz said. 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. He was named a captain at Brown University during his senior season. This is what I will remember about Eddie O. Can you guys wear a name tag for me? 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. Neither would eleven, five, or even six. He was also inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. We don't take it for granted. 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. He played the last two seasons of his career in Chicago. Like the Blackhawks who seemed to always put competing at the forefront, Eddie led with passion in all he did for the franchise. Eddie Olczyk's cancer battle was an extended family affair. "They love what they're doing," Ed said of his sons. Hes close friends with Kraken general manager Ron Francis. While Olczyk has repeatedly said it was his decision to step aside during his recent media appearances, it seems very evident he didnt want to leave. 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 was selected by the Blackhawks with the third pick in the 1984 NHL Draft, and played five seasons for them (1984-87, 1998-2000). Their relationship has changed as adults. The family lived in Winnipeg, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and Chicago. 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. Some changes perhaps will be for the better, but letting the best hockey analyst on TV walk out the door will not be one of them. Olczyk said details for the planned three-man setup remain in flux. At the same time , Its strange, Nick Olczyk says later. [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. They showed an extreme interest in wanting me, or at least exploring the opportunity, Olczyk said of the Kraken. Editorial Reviews. 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. Former New York Ranger Eddie Olczyk talks hockey and cancer Jim Bay Former New York Ranger and NBC hockey analyst Eddie Olczyk. No one will know the real reasons the contract went into the paper shredder. In the book, Olczyk talks about how he was bullied as a child; his ascension to the NHL as an 18-year-old rookie; the night he was traded from Toronto to Winnipeg as his wife was about to give. 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. He scored 180 points in the first three seasons of his hockey career that he spent with the Blackhawks. When thinking about most of the games Olczyk worked last year, they were mainly with Foley before he joined Chris Vosters for a handful of games toward the end of the season. I played football, and I was eliminated as the pyramid got higher and narrower. So, its going to be fun.. All you young hockey fans out there, Keep your stick on the ice!, Stop it right there. Since making his sports broadcast debut, traveling between cities is still a part of Eddie Olzcyks schedule. Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis has known the Olczyk family for years. The couple now owns four thoroughbred horses and hes also a big advocate of the safety of the animals. His adoration for the organization was obvious and it oozed out in the best of ways. And as Olczyk put it, the fans might not enjoy the outcome but he hopes you enjoyed the broadcast. Daughter Zandra, 20, is attending University of Alabama. Once the time came, the longtime broadcaster initiated meetings with Rocky and Danny Wirtz and Jaime Faulkner. Hell join the Krakens broadcast booth and continue as an analyst for TNT. I worked with the kids and stuff. That's what we did.". Eddie Olczyk Family. Nothing is said in exchange, and he carries on. 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. And just make sure I walk into the right booth. "I knew what I wanted to do when I was 12 years old. Im frustrated and sad about this news. He wanted theopportunity to join the winners circle with Diana O. one day. I feel bad, but its hard not to do that.. 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. Eddie Olczyk Wife He married a beutiful woman called Diana Olczyk. If they put something to mind, there's a good chance they'll succeed at it.". Pat Foley (born 1954) is an American retired play-by-play commentator for ice hockey . 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. According to multiple media reports, Eddie Olczyk is leaving his role as the color analyst for NBC Sports Chicago's broadcasts of Blackhawks games. Secure payments & money back guarantee. Their sons, Nick, Tommy and Eddie III followed their father's footsteps. 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. And so, when extension talks with the Blackhawks snagged this summer, Olczyk didnt hesitate when his brothers team made their pitch. "Both my boys and my brother, and (general manager) Ronnie Francis, we. "We didn't know how expensive traveling was," Diana said. Ricky has been the [family] captain and caretaker of my dad. Later tied by Phil Kessel, the record would stand until being passed by Patrick Kane in 2015-16 season. The wrong time for another loss, as the Bulls were now two games out of a play-in spot. God bless! She would take their sons to their hockey games and trips, carrying three bags of hockey gear, and tied their skates. Absolutely. All Rights Reserved. One of the best in the business. 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.. His older fans followed him from his days in National Hockey League while his younger fans . The two sides fit perfectly in that regard. This was Olczyk making his way through the Kraken Community Iceplex and watching the Krakens morning skate prior to joining John Forslund and J.T. This [I] know.". "Negotiations are hard," Olczyk said. And the rumor mill started swirling. He also did interim Blackhawks radio work last season after their analyst, Troy Murray, was diagnosed with cancer. Book a personalized video $49. For an Original Six franchise, the Blackhawks need to do right by their fans here, which lately hasnt always been the case. Plus, like with all of his contracts, Olczyk had asked his brother, Ricky, a former lawyer, to look it over before signing. "We were simple people. Heres what you need to know about Eddie Olczyks wife, Diana Olczyk. "At the end of the day it is always about money and terms. Eddie's sons are continuing the hockey tradition in the Olczyk family. Eddie Olczyk. The Hawks offered him one, but Olczyk decided it was time for him to leave. 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.
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