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We just could not come to terms on a contract, and I have stepped away, Olczyk told the Sun-Times. A few years ago, I got his book Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life, which is a fascinating read. Hes still commuting between coasts, keeping an Eastside residence for when hes working here. Eddie Olczyk. He also currently serves as the Horse Racing Handicapper and Analyst for NBC's Horse Racing Coverage. The Blackhawks granted that permission, which Olczyk said surprised him. Tommy is a nationally ranked senior forward for Penn State. The decision left Hawks' fans confused. He grew up watching the Blackhawks on TV and then he was drafted by them in 1984. 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. [1] Career [ edit] However, it took him a long time to return to loving horse racing again. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Listening to Foley and Olczyk was part of the whole Blackhawks experience. He underwent a surgical procedure to remove the tumor. He has one brother Rick Olczyk, who is also involved in the hockey profession. Olczyk has several connections to the Kraken. For an Original Six franchise, the Blackhawks need to do right by their fans here, which lately hasnt always been the case. His son Nick discussed a TV studio analyst role with the Kraken and signed with the organization before his father did. It wasnt a secret he was due a new deal in the summer. 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. I had an incredible conversation with [chairman Rocky Wirtz], met with him in person, as well as Danny [Wirtz] and Jaime [Faulkner]. Toward the end of this weeks interview, Olczyks son emerged from the Krakens offices to get his dad for a scheduled broadcast meeting. This way, we dont have to associate his voice with whats to come. Steele retired all six Padres batters he faced, then headed to the bullpen to throw 25 more pitches. Thats the pull announcers have in Chicago. Yes, I do. According to a source, the Hawks would not give him the same contract length that the Kraken did. We're truly grateful and appreciative of it. But if youre Olczyk, do you really want to do that?Just like with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. The weathers been unbelievable, Olczyk said. My heart breaks for his family, former colleagues and every player who was lucky enough to call him their coach. Olczyk will team with John Forslund to form one of the best TV tandems in hockey which the Hawks once had. And as Olczyk put it, the fans might not enjoy the outcome but he hopes you enjoyed the broadcast. Well, now two different voices. Lightning, his father was diagnosed with colon cancer. It was a head-scratching moment to hear that Eddie Olczyk planned to leave the Chicago Blackhawks' broadcasting booth for good. Over the past year, its been obvious the Blackhawks are trying to get younger in nearly all aspects of their organization, including the broadcast. They were hoping Eddie would be a bridge to that newness. All Rights Reserved. We just could not come to terms on a contract, and I have stepped away, Eddie Olczyk told the Sun-Times on Monday. The NFL pro-turned-sports-analysts life revolves around hockey and Eddie Olczyks wife is also a fan of the sport. CHICAGO Eddie Olczyk is leaving the Chicago Blackhawks after 16 years as a color commentator on their television broadcasts. You need that entering a rebuild, and theyre missing out. Im frustrated that the Blackhawks could not get a deal done, and Im sad because of what the team will miss. Diana Olczyk and Eddie Olczyk are the parents of 4 children Eddie Olczyk is happily married to Diana Olczyk.. In 2009, Olczyk received an Emmy for "Outstanding Achievement for Individual Excellence On Camera: Programming," followed by a 2012 Emmy for "Outstanding Achievement for Sports Programs - Sporting Event/Game - Live/Unedited Program/Special." "Our lives are hockey," Nick said. 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. Eddie Olczyk on Unfiltered: 'This was my decision' originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago. We both do it with [other brother] Randy as well.". And the one thing I guess Im proud and excited to say is that I dont. Olczyk has rented a two-bedroom apartment in the Seattle suburb of Bellevue. Click here to follow the Blackhawks Talk Podcast. Eddie Olczyk: Birth Realities, Family, and Childhood Edward Walter Olczyk Jr. was conceived on August 16, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. However, we are unknown to the identity of his parents. He was traded again in 1990 to the Winnipeg Jets, with Mark Osborne for Dave Ellett and Paul Fenton. Unlike Eddie, who was a forward, Ricky's path was as a defenseman. 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. Updated hourly, with analysis, commentary and features from hundreds writers worldwide, our articles are read over 5 million times every month. Brown on the local TV Seattle broadcast in the evening. He'll be back on his feet, in the booth, and at the track in no time. I always wanted to have my job combine my two loves -- hockey and law -- eventually. The couple now owns four thoroughbred horses and hes also a big advocate of the safety of the animals. 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. The Blackhawks honored "Edzo" for his induction in a pregame ceremony on February 22, 2013, at the United Center. It was on a flight with the Chicago Blackhawks, who picked him in 1984 NHL draft, that he met Diana. And Im happy for the organization, obviously, on a professional level, but on a personal level, Im just ecstatic and over the moon.. 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. This is my decision. 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. "I kid them every so often, 'You guys never had a real job.' I really have a lot of respect for what theyre doing and how theyre going about it. Olczyk, who has been on Hawks broadcasts since 2006, couldnt reach an agreement with management on a new contract. He had also been working for NBC Sports Chicago behind the scenes. In a seismic event in the Chicago sports market, the Blackhawks and TV analyst Eddie Olczyk are parting ways. Im sure going back will feel a little different, but its home. "[14], In October 2019, Olczyk released his autobiography, Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life, in which he shares details of his fight with stage 3 colon cancer.[15]. 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. But, now he's moving on. Eddie III played in the Southern Professional Hockey League with Bloomington Thunder. 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. I just expressed to them that I felt at this particular time it was best for me step away. He was also inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. Olczyk explained he tried to keep a "low profile" during the day. 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. The success the Olczyk family has had in the sport can largely be credited to the sacrifices Diana and her husband, Ed, made early in Eddie's career. Short Bio. Eddie will always be part of the Blackhawks family. He coached the Penguins for two seasons between 2003-05, going 31-64-10 with eight ties. That kind of reminds you, 'Work hard and you do what you have to do and it's for your children.' 1 draft choice for his hometown Chicago Blackhawks. Id like to say that Im shocked, but numb might be a more fitting word to use at this point. The nurse keeps popping in and out not to check on Diana, but to tell Olczyk that the Maple Leafs. The 1984 draft class saw legends like Mario Lemieux, Patrick Roy, and Brett Hull all join the NHL. Their youngest son, Nick, plays for the South Shore Kings of the U.S. Premier Hockey League and plays for Colorado College. Leiweke pitched Olczyk as he does anyone he wants to hire: He sells being part of a new NHL franchise and all the exciting things happening within the organization. Every time his dad would get traded or signed somewhere new, there was the rest of the Olczyk clan. Diana O. was in the lead at one point and it looked like she could win. Besides Chelios or Murray, I thought Nick Olczyk, Eddies son would make a good candidate as he did well calling some games last season, but Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reported he left the organization as well. Between working as an analyst for NBC, the Chicago Blackhawks, and. 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. Olczyk then turned the mic over to Rocky Wirtz, who thanked everyone for attending before heaping praise on Olczyk. From a broadcast standpoint, nothing has been different for Olczyk working for the Kraken. Its just not the same, but that doesnt mean its bad. "Again, his love for hockey and his passion, and my love and passion for hockey is a common bond. 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. Add local institution Eddie Olczyk to the list. And so, when extension talks with the Blackhawks snagged this summer, Olczyk didnt hesitate when his brothers team made their pitch. According to a source, the Hawks would not give him the same contract length that the Kraken did. Michigan had the highest population of Olczyk families in 1920. "Hockey has always been a part of my fabric in every academic endeavor I've done," said Ricky, 45, who was recently named to the management staff for Team Europe's entry in the World Cup of Hockey. Despite adding marquee free-agents, the Penguins started the season with a disappointing 8176 record, leading to Olczyk's dismissal on December 15.[5]. 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. He often traveled for NHL games and his work still leads him to travel across the country. 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. I had an incredible conversation with Rocky, met with him in person, as well as Danny and Jaime. Its come so much quicker than I thought.. The boys have a lot of those traits. His tiring flight schedule throughout his career had an upside. However, I feel like that may not be a realistic possibility, considering the teams apparent youth movement. "At the end of the day it is always about money and terms. And with their family, was always Diana. With that, our Blackhawks team wanted to get together to reflect on this monumental change. 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. Theres great disappointment, but this was my decision. Just the timing is what it is, and you have to make those decisions. Like the Blackhawks who seemed to always put competing at the forefront, Eddie led with passion in all he did for the franchise. However, because we dont know what the conversations looked like, its hard to gauge what went into the decision entirely. [10] Olczyk's daughter Zandra attended the University of Alabama. Eddie's sons are continuing the hockey tradition in the Olczyk family. 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. And Olczyk is still awaiting a finalized national broadcast schedule from TNT before he knows which ROOT games hell do. His younger brother, Ricky Olczyk, also fell in love with the game. 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. At least the way Eddie Olczyk sees it. We're excited to welcome award-winning broadcaster & @NHL veteran Eddie Olczyk to the #SeaKraken family where he'll join @JohnForslund & @JTBrown23 in the Kraken broadcast . The yellow pamphlet was an invitation to learn how to skate at Ballard Sports Complex in Niles, Illinois. [citation needed], Olczyk was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks as the third overall pick in the first round of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. Can you guys wear a name tag for me? When Eddie Olczyk left the Chicago Blackhawks broadcast booth, there were reports that he would eventually land on his feet in Seattle. We went to the bank and borrowed $675 and signed a promissory note so he could go on a hockey trip. He earned a law degree at Cornell, worked for the NHL Players' Association for two years, and spent time in Phoenix and Chicago at consulting and law firms. People always ask me with the cancer whether I look at things differently now than I did before I was sick, Olczyk said. "Negotiations are hard," Olczyk said. He was born and raised here, and he played for the Blackhawks. She would take their sons to their hockey games and trips, carrying three bags of hockey gear, and tied their skates. Former Husky QB Jake Haener thinks he'll 'stack up with some of the top guys' at NFL combine, Smoothies and scavenger hunts: How UW's nutrition team fuels Husky football, Pac-12 men's basketball hot seats: Odds that UW's Mike Hopkins, others are gone after season, Hardwood Classic: Recaps and results from 2023 Washington state basketball tournament. But do you want to stick it out with a rebuilding club? 204 ratings24 reviews. His brother Ricky is an assistant general manager, his son Eddie is an amateur scout and general manager Ron Francis is a close friend. Tommy, 25, is a senior forward for nationally ranked Penn State. 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. Ed Olczyk is also an inductee of USA-HOF from 2012. 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 . Ill walk in there as I always have and be proud of what Ive been able to do for the franchise over all these years. 4.05. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. 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. An avid enthusiast of thoroughbred horse racing, Eddie Olczyk also served as guest commentator at major horse racing events for NBC Sports. As a player, he was the winner of the Stanley Cup with the .