Before leaving to join Team Israel, Cubs prospect Matt Mervis shared why this WBC means so much to him. As time passed and Olczyk hadnt signed a new contract with the Blackhawks, there was the growing possibility he could become a free agent. Honestly, more disappointed than surprised. He finished his career in Chicago. His brother Ricky is an assistant general manager, his son Eddie is an amateur scout and general manager Ron Francis is a close friend. For an Original Six franchise, the Blackhawks need to do right by their fans here, which lately hasnt always been the case. Olczyk already had a ton of reasons to consider joining the Kraken. August 11, 2022. ", Powers: Olczyk family living the hockey life. As a youth, Olczyk played in the 1978 and 1979 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a minor ice hockey team from Chicago. The 1984 draft class saw legends like Mario Lemieux, Patrick Roy, and Brett Hull all join the NHL. 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. Meet the Inspiring NFL On-Air Personality, Who Is Will Hardy? Their relationship has changed as adults. "We're very, very blessed. 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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." 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. The wrong time for another loss, as the Bulls were now two games out of a play-in spot. This way, we dont have to associate his voice with whats to come. Thats an exciting opportunity for him, but it hurts and he will be missed. The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times. Im frustrated that the Blackhawks could not get a deal done, and Im sad because of what the team will miss. It was on a flight with the Chicago Blackhawks, who picked him in 1984 NHL draft, that he met Diana. Their daughter, Alexandra is a student at the University of Alabama. Olczyk has known Brown since Brown was a teenager, and theyve quickly developed an on-air rapport with Olczyk in the booth and Brown at ice level. She spoke from the United Center. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame on February 22, 2013. 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. Nick played for the Colorado College Tigers and, in 2022, became a television studio analyst for the Seattle Kraken. Born as Edward Walter "Eddie" Olczyk on 16 August 1966, Ed is a native of Chicago, Illinois. Eddie Olczyk (right) and Pat Foley are calling Blackhawks playoff games together but apart. But the Kraken really liked what they saw and felt he could be their Swiss Army knife, so to speak.. Look, I never thought Id leave home. The NHL player turned broadcaster was on his second round of chemotherapy for stage 3 colon cancer, and the effects were so severe that he told his wife, Diana . Clearly, the Blackhawks are taking the concept of a rebuild to a whole new level. So to be around him more, I know my mom is smiling, which makes us all feel pretty good.. She was in the studio for pre-game, post-game, and intermission analysis. Between working as an analyst for NBC, the Chicago Blackhawks, and NHL on Versus as well as a few other broadcasts, he accumulated many frequent flier miles! Before leaving to join Team Israel, Cubs prospect Matt Mervis shared why this WBC means so much to him. Rather, we get to remember the calls that made celebrating their achievements that much more because he was part of sharing the good news. Its come so much quicker than I thought.. Im like, I dont know what the hell youre talking about. They showed an extreme interest in wanting me, or at least exploring the opportunity, Olczyk said of the Kraken. Perfect hires, Blackhawks forever, and so I think its a win-win for them doing the games, Olczyk said. Diana and Eddie Olczyk are parents to four children. Tommy, 25, is a senior forward for . "We'd park at the tollway oasis, walk together, meet halfway. And its OK to get that in there. Next Up In Ricky also happens to be a Kraken assistant general manager. But, of course, both say thats a compliment. Some will do it better than others and an imbalance in air time will ensue. But that had some major play in it.. Olczyk said details for the planned three-man setup remain in flux. Eddie Olczyk and Diana Olczyks family live and breathe hockey. Eddie Olczyk: Birth Realities, Family, and Childhood Edward Walter Olczyk Jr. was conceived on August 16, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Or do you want to spend your remaining time in the limelight youve always known? All you young hockey fans out there, Keep your stick on the ice!, Stop it right there. 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. He'll be back on his feet, in the booth, and at the track in no time. He's expected to work . Im sure Sharpie will probably have it taped off and let me know theres a password to get in there.. Despite ample legal trouble, Sizemore had steady film and television credits. Well. 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. It was a head-scratching moment to hear that Eddie Olczyk planned to leave the Chicago Blackhawks' broadcasting booth for good. In a lot of ways, all this seems very normal. He has his gig with TNT to call national hockey games and he reportedly is in agreement to broadcast games with the Seattle Kraken (even though he didn't verbally admit it). Someone is seated inside the otherwise-empty restaurant, and Olczyk explains hes going into the other room to be interviewed. 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. He even stated, I will die a Blackhawk. Because of that, he could relay what most were thinking, whether good or bad. 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. The Blackhawks granted that permission, which Olczyk said surprised him. [12], On August 8, 2017, Olczyk issued a statement through the Blackhawks to announce that he had been diagnosed with a form of colon cancer. Tommy, 25, is a senior forward for . Eddie Olczyk has a high-flying career literally. 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. After that, he became one of the best color commentators in the sport. The credibility that Olczyk brought to his role was second to none. 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.. Eddie's sons are continuing the hockey tradition in the Olczyk family. 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. We're truly grateful and appreciative of it. 1 min read Blackhawks 'disappointed' with Eddie Olczyk's departure originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago The Chicago Blackhawks released a statement. Olczyk then turned the mic over to Rocky Wirtz, who thanked everyone for attending before heaping praise on Olczyk. I had an incredible conversation with Rocky, met with him in person, as well as Danny and Jaime. All Rights Reserved. Every time he was traded or signed to a new team, the family had to pick up and move to a new home. Olczyk also has an interest in Thoroughbred horse racing, appearing in advertisements for Xpressbet and serving as a guest commentator and handicapper for major horse racing events such as the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes on NBC networks, and on WGN Sports coverage of the Arlington Million that is fed nationally. Olczyk, who has been on Hawks broadcasts since 2006, couldn't reach an agreement with management on a new contract. 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. Olczyk will team with John Forslund to form one of the best TV tandems in hockey which the Hawks once had. Tommy, 25, is a senior forward for nationally ranked Penn State. 1 min read. Eddie, we look up words like courage, grace, professionalism, family man; your picture shows up all over them. Olczyk was born and raised in Chicago. By: Caroline John - Published: August 9, 2017 at 10:20 am, Photo: Ronald Martinez / Staff/ Getty Images. Their sons, Nick, Tommy and Eddie III followed their father's footsteps.