But do you want to stick it out with a rebuilding club? That became more complicated when the family moved from Niles, a northwest Chicago suburb, to Palos Heights, a southwest suburb, and Eddie still had practices in the northwest suburbs. With that said, the fact that Eddie has found his way to being part of the overall teardown just seems all too fitting at this point. Eddie Olczyk: Birth Realities, Family, and Childhood Edward Walter Olczyk Jr. was conceived on August 16, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Daughter Zandra, 20, is attending University of Alabama. That's as far as I'm gonna go on that. In 1987, Olczyk was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs with Al Secord for Rick Vaive, Steve Thomas, and Bob McGill.[3]. Eddie will always be part of the Blackhawks family. 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. At present, Rick is a colleague general administrator of the . The NFL pro-turned-sports-analysts life revolves around hockey and Eddie Olczyks wife is also a fan of the sport. Unlike Eddie, who was a forward, Ricky's path was as a defenseman. Albert and Olczyk joined TNT after the Finals as their lead broadcast team (erstwhile NBC studio analyst Keith Jones was later added to join the pair).[7]. 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!. He served as a television color commentator for NHL on NBC until its end in 2021 and currently commentates on TNT and Seattle Kraken games on Root Sports Northwest. A few years ago, I got his book Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life, which is a fascinating read. 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 . The weathers been unbelievable, Olczyk said. It was five years ago last month that Olczyk announced he was stepping away from NBC work to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He has more than earned the right to command whatever he wants as far as contracts go. 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. Eddie Olczyk. The family lived in Winnipeg, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and Chicago. Its certainly unique, Ricky said. I think that's a perfect slogan if you can quote our family.". Eddie Olczyk revealed that he has cancer but wont let it defeat him thanks to the support of his wife and family. [2] He was a star on the Illinois midget AAA team (Team Illinois) that won the 1982 national title against a Detroit Compuware squad that featured future NHL stars Pat LaFontaine and Al Iafrate. But the Kraken really liked what they saw and felt he could be their Swiss Army knife, so to speak.. Beginning with the 200607 NHL season, Olczyk was the color commentator for the Chicago Blackhawks television broadcasts, partnering play-by-play announcer Pat Foley. Nick played for the Colorado College Tigers and, in 2022, became a television studio analyst for the Seattle Kraken. Saying that tongue-in-cheek as I'm eating my heart out. It wasnt a secret he was due a new deal in the summer. Thank you Eddie for all you have done for the Blackhawks and the city of Chicago, and best of luck on your newest adventure! [8], Olczyk and his wife, Diana, have three sons, all former hockey players, and one daughter. The weather has even surprised him. The Olczyk family name was found in the USA in 1920. Eddie Olczyk fans are of all ages. This way, we dont have to associate his voice with whats to come. 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. His oldest son, also named Eddie, is a 26-year-old assistant coach at Niagara University. He was born on August 16, 1966 and his birthplace is Chicago, United States. He would have been honest, but also positive, about the new direction. Next Up In But I dont see that happening for a long time. Ed Olczyk Position: C Shoots: Left 6-1 , 207lb (185cm, 93kg) Born: August 16 , 1966 (Age: 56-199d) in Chicago, Illinois us Draft: Chicago, 1st round (3rd overall), 1984 NHL Entry As Coach: 2 Yrs, 316418, 80 Pts. 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. 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. Its not a great look for the organization, especially knowing that retaining him would be necessary for next seasons struggles. That is what Im going to miss. She made quite a name for herself as a player wife and mother. Perfect hires, Blackhawks forever, and so I think its a win-win for them doing the games, Olczyk said. Ricky didn't possess the talent Eddie did, though, and his playing days ended in college. And then he started a 16-year long broadcasting journey with them in 2006. Lets face it; he was the voice of the Blackhawks for the last 16 years. Their parents have enjoyed watching the relationship evolve and witnessing how each son arrived at his goal of the NHL in his own way. Hell join the Krakens broadcast booth and continue as an analyst for TNT. Nevertheless, he will always be a Blackhawk and will forever be part of the Chicago family. I'm just proud as heck.". That's what we did.". 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. Rather, we get to remember the calls that made celebrating their achievements that much more because he was part of sharing the good news. I want to make that perfectly clear this was my decision.". Having the NHL means more opportunities for TNT to use its partnerships with the NBA and All Elite Wrestling for cross-promotion. 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. 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. 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 . 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. He grew up watching the Blackhawks on TV and then he was drafted by them in 1984. Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. He has represented the organization as well as anyone could, through good times and bad. His adoration for the organization was obvious and it oozed out in the best of ways. Nick will live there permanently during the season, and Olczyk will take the smaller bedroom when hes in town. Tommy, 25, is a senior forward for nationally ranked Penn State. 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. If it was me, I would give her a shot. But Danny and Jaime had come out this year, and we spent time with them. Personal life [ edit] Born in Glenview, Illinois in 1954, [1] Pat Foley is the son of Mary and Bob Foley. Every time his dad would get traded or signed somewhere new, there was the rest of the Olczyk clan. 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. "How ironic," Olczyk said . During the games first intermission, he announced he was cancer-free, and his openness during and after his battle never failed to amaze me. People always ask me with the cancer whether I look at things differently now than I did before I was sick, Olczyk said. And Im happy for the organization, obviously, on a professional level, but on a personal level, Im just ecstatic and over the moon.. Olczyk feels the same. Eddie Olczyk Apr 11 2021 Eddie Olczyk had built a life and career most people could only dream of. The Blackhawks are undergoing a true rebuild, and Olczyk would have been a credible voice for the fans. I know how close their family is and I know how close we are as a family. Eddie Olczyk has been the Blackhawks TV analyst since 2006. Hes a Chicago native who grew up a Hawks fan and was the teams first-round draft pick in 1984. Blindsided. Seattle has become another home for Olczyk. Eddie Olczyk Son Two of his children are currently playing hockey. His oldest son, also named Eddie, is a 26-year-old assistant coach at Niagara University. Am I working with Kenny (Albert), or Johnny (Forslund) or Jonesy (Keith Jones) or J.T.? But the one thing well have is great conversation. 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. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Its not what we knew. The couple has four children namely Nick, Tom, Rick, and a daughter called Zandra. Eddie Olczyk was born on August 16, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. In the 1989-90 season, Olczyk recorded an 18 game point streak, setting the record for longest point streak by an American player. He attended Brother Rice Catholic High School. He played the last two seasons of his career in Chicago. It is Nov. 10, 1990 and Eddie Olczyk's wife is well into labour at a Scarborough hospital. Given their current outlook, he may have realized there was no better time than the present. Theres great disappointment, but this was my decision. "We were simple people. Click here to follow the Blackhawks Talk Podcast. Just the timing is what it is, and you have to make those decisions. Blackhawks fans: what will you miss the most? And he isnt just reuniting with his brother. Is Najee Harris Related to Pittsburgh Steelers Legend, Franco Harris? I played football, and I was eliminated as the pyramid got higher and narrower. Im sure going back will feel a little different, but its home. He was selected to repeat his duties alongside Emrick for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.[6]. Twenty is a nice round number. He didnt elaborate on theirlove story, but obviously, it worked out well for this longtime married couple. To us, family is everything.". The Blackhawks granted that permission, which Olczyk said surprised him. Olczyks son spent four seasons as a radio analyst on ECHL Indy Fuel broadcasts. 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. I mean that's just the reality of the world we live in. Eddie Olczyk on Unfiltered: 'This was my decision' originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago. 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. That he was a former draft pick made it that much more special to witness. Eddie Olczyk, Former NHL player, coach, and commentator It was not until August 4, 2017, that his life changed forever. No one will know the real reasons the contract went into the paper shredder. He shares the same sentiment about his departure. 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.. We'd go north for hockey. We admire you, and were lucky to have you as part of our extended family.. Though I understand hes older than some of the teams current broadcasters, he is 100% worth keeping around, even in the worst of times. Like the Blackhawks who seemed to always put competing at the forefront, Eddie led with passion in all he did for the franchise. It will be a growing season within the booth next year for sure. That allowed the Kraken to swoop in. Their relationship has changed as adults. [13] In March 2018, Olczyk announced that he was officially "cancer-free. He scored 180 points in the first three seasons of his hockey career that he spent with the Blackhawks. 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. "I've always tied it somehow. Having said that, this is a huge, huge blow for the Blackhawks and their fans. "The mom and dad are extremely honest, hardworking, genuine people. In a lot of ways, all this seems very normal. 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. Hell join the ROOT Sports booth alongside incumbent Kraken play-by-play voice John Forslund a former NBC Sports teammate on national broadcasts and analyst JT Brown. But it was not meant to be. He coached the Penguins for two seasons between 2003-05, going 31-64-10 with eight ties. Olczyk is Chicago, just like Foley. Its not normal. But at the same time, I think its exciting to be a part of something new.. At least the way Eddie Olczyk sees it. In 1920 there were 2 Olczyk families living in Michigan. There is something fun about being a pioneer, Leiweke said. Broadcasters can rarely connect with a vast audience, and he was able to do that because of how relatable he is. Eddie III played in the Southern Professional Hockey League with Bloomington Thunder. What weve gone through transitionally, moving, new schools, finding doctors, friends, thats crazy. 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. 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. Editorial Reviews. Its tough to say. One may not agree nor understand. him some grave news about her namesake thoroughbred. Id like to say that Im shocked, but numb might be a more fitting word to use at this point. 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. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments, 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Men's Ice Hockey, National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame, List of NHL players with 1,000 games played, "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA", "New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils Box Score May 25, 1994", "Wayne Gretzky, Kenny Albert, Eddie Olczyk Join Turner Sports' NHL Coverage Team", "Source: Olczyk moving on from Hawks as color analyst", "Alison Lukan & Nick Olczyk to join Kraken broadcast team this season", "Blackhawks TV analyst Eddie Olczyk bolts for Seattle Kraken after Hawks talks break down", "Seattle NHL expansion team hires Ricky Olczyk as assistant GM", "Amazing news: Eddie Olczyk is cancer-free", "Eddie Olczyk talks new book 'Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life', Ed Olczyk's profile at hockeydraftcentral.com, Chicago Black Hawks first round draft pick, History of the NHL on United States television, NHL All-Star Game SuperSkills Competition, United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing on television, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eddie_Olczyk&oldid=1142330530, Ice hockey players at the 1984 Winter Olympics, National Hockey League first-round draft picks, Olympic ice hockey players of the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from May 2021, All articles needing additional references, Pages using infobox ice hockey biography with unknown parameters, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Biographical information and career statistics from, This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 20:28.