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. Olczyk wont return to the Hawks next season, another domino that has fallen in a lengthy row as the franchise stretches its teardown all the way to the beloved broadcast booth. Everything else is a bit of an adjustment. 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. Related: Olczyk Embodies Passion for Life, Hockey. Hes still commuting between coasts, keeping an Eastside residence for when hes working here. The weather has even surprised him. The root cause of. Olczyk won't return as a color commentator for Hawks games on NBC Sports Chicago,. "This will always be my home," Olczyk said. All rights reserved. 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. His son, Nick, has rented near him, but on a more permanent basis as he develops Kraken content across TV, radio and digital platforms. This way, we dont have to associate his voice with whats to come. (Scott Powers / The Athletic). as well as a few other broadcasts, he accumulated many frequent flier miles! If thats the case, do you blame him? 08/26/2019. First, he hit on Majestic . Or do you want to spend your remaining time in the limelight youve always known? Against all odds, he played on Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Olczyk surname lived. As a fan, he made watching and listening to that much more of a treat as a result. Among the three brothers, the family agrees that Nick is the best hockey player, second only to their father. He is currently assistant general manager for the Carolina Hurricanes. Nick will live there permanently during the season, and Olczyk will take the smaller bedroom when hes in town. He's a fighter to the core and is going to beat this. His amateur career started from the early age but his professional career started only from 1984 when he was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks. He is one of us, a Blackhawks fan. Happy to say I've done that today.". Ricky has been the [family] captain and caretaker of my dad. He was selected to repeat his duties alongside Emrick for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.[6]. 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. Theres great disappointment, but this was my decision. With reports indicating that Olczyk is heading to Seattle for the 2022-23 season, he obviously wasnt suffering for other opportunities. Blackhawks fans: what will you miss the most? 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. 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. He won the Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994. Having the NHL means more opportunities for TNT to use its partnerships with the NBA and All Elite Wrestling for cross-promotion. 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. Editorial Reviews. Eddie Olczyk, a former hockey player turned color commenter, went to the hospital during the second intermission of the broadcast Saturday due to his health problem and is likely to be in his home or hospital tonight. Eddie Olszyk Jr., the son of former NHL forward and NBC Sports hockey analyst Eddie Olszyk, released the following statement on Twitter Thursday, in response to the countless messages the family received after his father was diagnosed with colon cancer. It seems like the Blackhawks stiffed him in that sense, and if thats the case, then thats disheartening knowing they didnt step up to the plate. SUMMARY However, we are unknown to the identity of his parents. I will also miss him always saying, Keep an eye on the goaltender if the Hawks or the opposing team were down by a goal with a couple of minutes left. 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. Instead, Olczyk will join the Kraken while remaining as an analyst for TNT. 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. He also did interim Blackhawks radio work last season after their analyst, Troy Murray, was diagnosed with cancer. The Hawks and Olczyk had been talking for weeks about a potential contract, but the team essentially let him test free agency. Eddie Olczyk's cancer battle was an extended family affair. It wasnt until August that Olczyk was technically hired by the Kraken because TNT, for which Olczyk calls games nationally, also had to sign off on his new contract. However, people grow into that legendary status all the time within hockey. (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. He has more than earned the right to command whatever he wants as far as contracts go. Having grown up in the hockey aspect of it, you just watch them all how they grow on the ice and as human beings,, About 25 years ago, Diana O. ranin the Pocahontas Stakes while Eddie was in Winnipeg for the hockey game. And so to be able to work with him, its extremely satisfying, gratifying. [citation needed], Olczyk was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks as the third overall pick in the first round of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. He's a phenomenal teacher of the greatest game in the world and will now be showing everyone how he will overcome this obstacle. Olczyk is one of the best analysts in not just the NHL but all of professional sports. Olczyk will team with John Forslund to form one of the best TV tandems in hockey which the Hawks once had. 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. And the rumor mill started swirling. They showed an extreme interest in wanting me, or at least exploring the opportunity, Olczyk said of the Kraken. 1 min read. All you young hockey fans out there, Keep your stick on the ice!, Stop it right there. 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 . My family and I appreciate privacy during this time as we focus our attention on my treatments.". "I wasn't able to go to the engagement party (on Aug. 6, 2017). Despite ample legal trouble, Sizemore had steady film and television credits. CHICAGO Eddie Olczyk is leaving the Chicago Blackhawks after 16 years as a color commentator on their television broadcasts. My husband worked a lot of hours. 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. next general manager on Blackhawks Banter,, Blackhawks 4 Best Options to Replace Eddie Olczyk as TV Analyst, reported he left the organization as well, 2023 NHL Trade Deadline Tracker Live Updates, NHL Trade Bait List for the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, NHL Rumors: Bruins, Coyotes, Senators, Maple Leafs, Oilers, Blackhawks Bytes Deadline Edition: Johnson, Lafferty, Kane, Domi, Grading the Wilds Trade for John Klingberg, Flames Acquire Stecher & Ritchie in Uneventful Deadline, NHL Trade Deadline Minor Moves: Hunt, Asplund, Brown & More, Deadline Moves Oilers Didnt Make Will Lead to Offseason Swings, Sabres Acquire Greenway from the Wild for Picks, Bruins Get Gritty Boost with Hathaway Trade Deadline Addition, Flames Acquire Nick Ritchie & Troy Stecher From Coyotes, 4 Fun Facts About Edmonton Oilers Newest Player Nick Bjugstad, Blue Jackets Use Trade Deadline to Setup Big Offseason, Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Schenn, McCabe, Woll& More, Wild Acquire Sundqvist from Red Wings For a Draft Pick. However, because we dont know what the conversations looked like, its hard to gauge what went into the decision entirely. 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. In the past two years, he also has covered Triple Crown and other major horse racing events for NBC. Olczyk feels the same. The family lived in Winnipeg, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and Chicago. Throughout his life he transitioned his focus to many different career paths but after he was diagnosed with cancer his priorities shifted. It wasnt a secret he was due a new deal in the summer. "I kid them every so often, 'You guys never had a real job.' 204 ratings24 reviews. Despite ample legal trouble, Sizemore had steady film and television credits. 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 either way, it doesnt paint the best picture for the team. Through their ups and downs, he was the voice of reason for Chicago and was one of the teams biggest ambassadors. She did radio analysis, and she called a few games on TV. 1 draft choice for his hometown Chicago Blackhawks. And the one thing I guess Im proud and excited to say is that I dont. Im frustrated and sad about this news. He often traveled for NHL games and his work still leads him to travel across the country. Exactly one year after his diagnosis, there was one goal remaining: Olczyk was to watch son Eddie Jr. get married Saturday. "We'd park at the tollway oasis, walk together, meet halfway. Ricky looked up to his older brother throughout Eddie's hockey ascension and began dedicating himself to the sport as well. Fans knew that the iconic duo of Pat Foley and Olczyk calling Blackhawks games wouldnt last forever, but no one expected it to end this abruptly. They could have offered him more money or a longer contract. Michelle Muscatello Leaving WPRI: Where Is the Rhode Island Meteorologist Going? He'll be back on his feet, in the booth, and at the track in no time. Besides Nick, Olczyk's brother Ricky is an assistant general manager for the Kraken and son Eddie Jr. is an amateur scout. He eventually. See Also: Paul Mooney Gay, Net Worth, Wife, Health, Family. He has represented the organization as well as anyone could, through good times and bad. Where Is Damani Whitlock from Last Chance U Season 2 Now? He was also inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. His son Eddie was a Kraken amateur scout. "The mom and dad are extremely honest, hardworking, genuine people. 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. 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. 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. Hes focused on the present. Thats as far as Im gonna go on that. On Oct. 15, 2012, Eddie Olczyk before the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2012 induction dinner in Dallas. But despite Rocky Wirtzs feelings for him, the Hawks drew a line with Olczyk. 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. Before he watched the late telecast of the race on TV, his wife called to tell him some grave news about her namesake thoroughbred. 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. During the games first intermission, he announced he was cancer-free, and his openness during and after his battle never failed to amaze me. But, of course, both say thats a compliment. Eddie Olczyk is leaving the Chicago Blackhawks after 16 years as a color commentator on their television broadcasts. He didnt elaborate on theirlove. And Olczyk is still awaiting a finalized national broadcast schedule from TNT before he knows which ROOT games hell do. But, with the attention surrounding the story, he couldn't help but clear the air. "I think both sides certainly expected to get a contract done.". 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. The 18 game streak would remain a Toronto franchise record (tied with Darryl Sittler until being surpassed in December 2022 by Mitch Marner. In . Between working as an analyst for NBC, the Chicago Blackhawks, and. Would she thrive in a bigger role? 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. 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." NHL trade tracker: Latest deals and grades, NHL trade grades: Sabres smartly buy low on Greenway, NHL trade deadline 2023: Fantasy hockey live reaction, Flyers GM: Red Wings nixed van Riemsdyk trade, Avs' Makar OK'd to return 2nd time from protocol, Wild acquire defenseman Klingberg from Ducks, Sabres add size up front, get Greenway from Wild, Penguins acquire defenseman Kulikov from Ducks, Sources: No discipline for Watson hit on Motte, Surging Bruins fastest to 100 pts. Chelios, well, I was impressed with ALL her commentary last season, of which she was trialed in all aspects. We'd go north for hockey. The wrong time for another loss, as the Bulls were now two games out of a play-in spot. To be around Ricky is big, because I dont always get the chance, Olczyk said of his brother, who was a team captain at Brown University and used his law degree to break into the NHL, serving as an AGM in Edmonton and Carolina. Regarding a replacement for Eddie, Mark Lazerus of The Athletic brought up the names of Patrick Sharp, Adam Burish, and Caley Chelios. Foley is in a production truck outside the United Center, and Olczyk is at NBC Sports Networks studios in Stamford, Conn. [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. The couple has four children namely Nick, Tom, Rick, and a daughter called Zandra. Plus, like with all of his contracts, Olczyk had asked his brother, Ricky, a former lawyer, to look it over before signing. [1], Olczyk grew up in Niles, Illinois and Palos Heights, Illinois and went to Brother Rice Catholic High School. His deal expired after last season. Olczyk explained he tried to keep a "low profile" during the day. Hell join the Krakens broadcast booth and continue as an analyst for TNT. Will M's decision to stick with J.P. Crawford at shortstop pay off. Despite his arrival at Turner for hockey, Olczyks deal will allow him to remain at NBC to cover handicap horse racing. 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. Honestly, I shouldnt say, but its only rained one day in like the 30 Ive been here so far. But before the horse made it to the finish line, she suffered an injury. Ed Olczyk is also an inductee of USA-HOF from 2012. Reviews. 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. "I think we've gotten closer," Ricky said. 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. Yet the Hawks paved the way for both of their exits, skewing younger and more social-media-savvy. "Having the support and encouragement from my family, the Chicago Blackhawks organization, NBC Sports and all my friends and fans means the world to me and will give me continued strength to beat this. In 1920 there were 2 Olczyk families living in Michigan. . Nick played for the Colorado College Tigers and, in 2022, became a television studio analyst for the Seattle Kraken. The audio of Olczyk saying "This has been tremendously tremendous" was an instant hit among hockey enthusiasts and was the subject of many spoofs online. Olczyks son spent four seasons as a radio analyst on ECHL Indy Fuel broadcasts. Theres great disappointment, but this was my decision. A few years ago, I got his book Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life, which is a fascinating read. 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 took the high road by owning the decision to leave, but he didnt arrive at it alone. The Family Man. The Chicago Blackhawks released a statement regarding Eddie Olczyk's decision to leave the team as their color broadcaster and join the Seattle Kraken. Just the way everything worked out and everybody kind of being in the places and the opportunity that was there, I needed to take a step back and figure out if that was (what I wanted).. I never thought, to be completely honest, Id get 35 games last year, let alone one. Ricky also happens to be a Kraken assistant general manager. [8], Olczyk and his wife, Diana, have three sons, all former hockey players, and one daughter. At present, Rick is a colleague general administrator of the . Burish seems like someone who could fly off the handle, or perhaps not be as controlled or professional as the organization might want. He was teammates with Eddie and now works with Ricky, and Francis wasn't surprised the brothers each reached the NHL. Hell join the Krakens booth next season. The hockey tradition has also carried on with Eddie's three sons, who are all coaching and playing hockey. Who Is Kimmi Chex? My mom would take my dad's car to go home to go south. NHL trade deadline: Winners and losers, including the Bruins, Devils and Bruce Boudreau? 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. With that, our Blackhawks team wanted to get together to reflect on this monumental change. And as Olczyk put it, the fans might not enjoy the outcome but he hopes you enjoyed the broadcast. No matter where they lived, the boys didnt let go of their hockey dreams. Eddie's sons are continuing the hockey tradition in the Olczyk family. If it was me, I would give her a shot. Of course, not knowing the details of the negotiation, its hard to gauge what that offer may or may not have looked like. As a player, he was the winner of the Stanley Cup with the . She would take their sons to their hockey games and trips, carrying three bags of hockey gear, and tied their skates. I want to thank Eddie for his unsuffered commitment to this organization, even in the face of personal challenges, Wirtz said. Im sure Sharpie will probably have it taped off and let me know theres a password to get in there.. 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.' The family shared Eddie's hockey journey, turning out-of-state hockey tournaments into vacations.