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Eddie Olczyk
Olczyk in 2010
Born (1966-08-16) August 16, 1966 (age 57)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Center
Shot Left
Played for Chicago Blackhawks
Toronto Maple Leafs
Winnipeg Jets
New York Rangers
Los Angeles Kings
Pittsburgh Penguins
National team  United States
NHL Draft 3rd overall, 1984
Chicago Black Hawks
Playing career 1984–2000

Edward Walter Olczyk Jr. (/ˈoʊltʃɪk/; 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. Olczyk was also the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins from June 2003 to December 2005.

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. He also currently serves as the Horse Racing Handicapper and Analyst for NBC's Horse Racing Coverage. Throughout his career as an NHL player, he played 1,031 NHL games and produced 342 goals and 452 assists for a total of 794 points. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame on February 22, 2013.

Olczyk, during the 1989–90 season, scored a point in 18 consecutive games, which was the longest streak by an American-born player in NHL history. The record was tied by Phil Kessel and later broken by Patrick Kane.

Playing career

Amateur career

As a youth, Olczyk played in the 1978 and 1979 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a minor ice hockey team from Chicago.[1]

Olczyk grew up in Niles, Illinois and Palos Heights, Illinois and went to Brother Rice Catholic High School.[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. He then moved to Canada to play for the Stratford Cullitons junior team before joining the 1984 U.S. Olympic hockey team.[citation needed]

Professional career

Olczyk was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks as the third overall pick in the first round of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. 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. 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. He was traded several times during his career. In 1987, Olczyk was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs with Al Secord for Rick Vaive, Steve Thomas, and Bob McGill.[3][4]

In the 1989-90 season, Olczyk recorded an 18 game point streak, setting the record for longest point streak by an American player (later tied by Phil Kessel), the record would stand until being passed by Patrick Kane in 2015-16 season.[5] The 18 game streak would remain a Toronto franchise record (tied with Darryl Sittler) until being surpassed in December 2022 by Mitch Marner.[6][7]

He was traded again in 1990 to the Winnipeg Jets, with Mark Osborne for Dave Ellett and Paul Fenton.[8]

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. Olczyk missed much of the 1993–94 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)[9] and on June 14, 1994, became Stanley Cup champion with the Rangers.

During the next season, he was traded back to the Winnipeg Jets for their fifth-round choice (who ended up being Alexei Vasiliev) in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. After signing as a free agent with the Los Angeles Kings in 1996, he did not finish the season with them before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Glen Murray. He finished his career in Chicago.

Post-playing career

He returned to Pittsburgh to become the color commentator for the Penguins on FSN Pittsburgh, where he was given the nickname "Edzo" by current radio announcer and then co-announcer Mike Lange. 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.[10] Despite adding marquee free-agents, the Penguins started the season with a disappointing 8–17–6 record, leading to Olczyk's dismissal on December 15.[11][12]

Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk working a game on NHL on NBCSN (2019)

Beginning with the 2006–07 NHL season, Olczyk was the color commentator for the Chicago Blackhawks television broadcasts, partnering play-by-play announcer Pat Foley. He also was the lead color commentator for NHL on NBC,[13] and previously for the NHL on Versus; the latter later rebranded as NBCSN in 2012, for both the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Men's Ice Hockey and 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, where he partnered with Mike Emrick and "Inside-the-Glass" reporter Pierre McGuire.[14][15]

At the end of the 5–3 U.S. win over Canada at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, Olczyk described the game as being "tremendously tremendous" after U.S. forward Ryan Kesler scored an empty-netter. 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.[16][15]

In February 2016, it was announced that Olczyk would be the recipient of the Ring Lardner Award,[17] 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." On July 11, 2012, Olczyk became the 16th Blackhawks player elected into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.[18] The Blackhawks honored "Edzo" for his induction in a pregame ceremony on February 22, 2013, at the United Center.

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." He was also inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.

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.

On December 30, 2010, it was announced that Foley and Olczyk signed a three-year extension to stay with the Blackhawks.[19][20][21]

On May 5, 2014, EA Sports announced that "Eddie O" would provide color commentary for NHL 15 alongside play-by-play announcer Mike Emrick and "Inside-the-Glass" reporter Ray Ferraro.[22][23][24] The trio have provided commentary for five years until Ferraro became the new color commentator in NHL 20.[25] From 2018 to 2020, "Inside-the-Glass" reporter Brian Boucher joined the lead duo for national games.[26][27] After Emrick retired, at the end of the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals, on October 19, 2020,[28] he was paired with Kenny Albert and John Forslund for most of the regular season but was paired with Albert for the playoffs and the Stanley Cup Finals.

Albert and Olczyk joined TNT after the Finals as their lead broadcast team while NBC studio analyst Keith Jones was later added to join the pair.[29]

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. Despite his arrival at Turner for hockey, Olczyk’s deal will allow him to remain at NBC to cover handicap horse racing.

On July 18, 2022, Olczyk left the Blackhawks following a contract dispute to join the broadcasting team for the Seattle Kraken.[30][31]

Personal life

Olczyk and his wife, Diana, have three sons, all former hockey players, and one daughter. Nick played for the Colorado College Tigers and, in 2022, became a television studio analyst for the Seattle Kraken.[32] Tom, who played hockey at Penn State, most recently played professionally for the Indy Fuel of the ECHL and the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL. Eddie III spent a season with the Bloomington Thunder of the SPHL, has been an assistant coach with the Bemidji State Beavers, and is an amateur scout for the Kraken.[33] Olczyk's daughter Zandra attended the University of Alabama.[34]

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.[35]

On August 8, 2017, Olczyk issued a statement through the Blackhawks to announce that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer, having underwent a surgical procedure to remove the tumor.[36][37][38] Due to his chemo treatments, he only called select games that season for the team and NHL on NBC.[39] In March 2018, Olczyk announced that he was officially "cancer-free."[40][41]

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.[42]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1982–83 Stratford Cullitons MWJHL 42 50 92 142 54 — — — — —
1983–84 United States Intl 62 21 47 68 36 — — — — —
1984–85 Chicago Black Hawks NHL 70 20 30 50 67 15 6 5 11 11
1985–86 Chicago Black Hawks NHL 79 29 50 79 47 3 0 0 0 0
1986–87 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 79 16 35 51 119 4 1 1 2 4
1987–88 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 80 42 33 75 55 6 5 4 9 2
1988–89 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 80 38 52 90 75 — — — — —
1989–90 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 79 32 56 88 78 5 1 2 3 14
1990–91 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 18 4 10 14 13 — — — — —
1990–91 Winnipeg Jets NHL 61 26 31 57 69 — — — — —
1991–92 Winnipeg Jets NHL 64 32 33 65 67 6 2 1 3 4
1992–93 Winnipeg Jets NHL 25 8 12 20 26 — — — — —
1992–93 New York Rangers NHL 46 13 16 29 26 — — — — —
1993–94 New York Rangers NHL 37 3 5 8 28 1 0 0 0 0
1994–95 New York Rangers NHL 20 2 1 3 4 — — — — —
1994–95 Winnipeg Jets NHL 13 2 8 10 8 — — — — —
1995–96 Winnipeg Jets NHL 51 27 22 49 65 6 1 2 3 6
1996–97 Los Angeles Kings NHL 67 21 23 44 45 — — — — —
1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 12 4 7 11 6 5 1 0 1 12
1997–98 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 56 11 11 22 35 6 2 0 2 4
1998–99 Chicago Wolves IHL 7 2 2 4 6 — — — — —
1998–99 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 61 10 15 25 29 — — — — —
1999–2000 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 33 2 2 4 12 — — — — —
NHL totals 1,031 342 452 794 874 57 19 15 34 57

International

Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
1984 United States OG 6 2 5 7 0
1984 United States CC 6 1 6 7 6
1985 United States WC 6 1 6 7 6
1986 United States WC 7 4 6 10 12
1987 United States WC 10 4 3 7 10
1987 United States CC 5 1 1 2 2
1989 United States WC 10 4 3 7 10
1991 United States CC 8 0 3 3 4
1993 United States WC 6 1 1 2 18
Senior totals 64 18 34 52 68

Awards and achievements

National team

Coaching record

Team Year Regular season Postseason
G W L T OTL Pts Finish W L Win% Result
PIT 2003–04 82 23 47 8 4 58 5th in Atlantic — — — Missed playoffs
PIT 2004–05 — — — — — — — — — — Season not played due to NHL lockout
PIT 2005–06 31 8 17 — 6 24 (fired) — — — —
Total 113 31 64 8 10 82   — — — —

See also

References

  1. ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  2. ^ O'Brien, Ken (January 24, 1999). "BACK ON HOME ICE". Chicago Tribune.
  3. ^ "Leafs trade Vaive, 2 others to Chicago". The Globe and Mail. September 4, 1987.
  4. ^ "Leafs, Hawks Make Trade". The New York Times. Associated Press. September 4, 1987. p. A21. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  5. ^ "Blackhawks' Patrick Kane gets point in record 19th consecutive game". USA TODAY. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  6. ^ Gold-Smith, Josh (December 3, 2022). "Sittler, Olczyk hope Marner breaks their Leafs record for longest point streak". theScore.com. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  7. ^ TSN ca Staff (December 3, 2022). "Mitch Marner sets Toronto Maple Leafs point streak record Eddie Olczyk Darryl Sittler". TSN. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  8. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE; Hockey Trade". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 11, 1990. p. 8. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  9. ^ "New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils Box Score — May 25, 1994". hockey-reference.com.
  10. ^ Sports, CBC (June 11, 2003). "Eddie Olczyk gets Pens coaching job". CBC Sports. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  11. ^ "Penguins fire head coach Olczyk". CBC Sports. December 15, 2005. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  12. ^ Archives, L. A. Times (December 16, 2005). "Olczyk Fired by the Penguins". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  13. ^ Marchand, Andrew (July 5, 2006). "OLCZYK TO CALL NHL ON NBC". New York Post. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  14. ^ Berenz, Ryan (February 10, 2010). "NBC Announces Broadcast Talent For 2010 Winter Olympics". Channel Guide Magazine. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  15. ^ a b "NBC Sports press release". NBC Sports Group Press Box. January 14, 2014.
  16. ^ Raissman, Bob (February 22, 2010). "Team USA's stunning upset over Canada in hockey gets cold shoulder from NBC". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  17. ^ Myers, Tracey (April 5, 2016). "Blackhawks: Eddie Olczyk honored with Ring Lardner award". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  18. ^ "Burnside: Olczyk honored to be inducted in U.S. HOF". ESPN.com. October 15, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  19. ^ "Foley, Olczyk TV Contracts Extended By Blackhawks - CBS Chicago". www.cbsnews.com. December 30, 2010. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  20. ^ Kuc, Chris (July 11, 2012). "Olczyk named to U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  21. ^ Yellon, Al (December 30, 2010). "'He Shoots, He Scores!' - Blackhawks Extend Pat Foley And Eddie Olczyk". SB Nation Chicago. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  22. ^ "EA SPORTS NHL 15 Starts a New Generation of Hockey Videogames This Fall". EA Sports. May 5, 2014. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  23. ^ Lepore, Steve (May 5, 2014). "Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk and NBC Sports brand will be in EA's 'NHL 15'". Awful Announcing. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  24. ^ "EA SPORTS NHL 15 Ushers in a New Generation of Hockey Videogames This September". ir.ea.com. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  25. ^ Arts, Electronic (July 26, 2019). "EA SPORTS - NHL 20 Gameplay - Broadcast and Presentation Overhaul". Electronic Arts Inc. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  26. ^ Bucholtz, Andrew (September 4, 2019). "Report: Pierre McGuire removed from NBC's No. 1 NHL team in favor of Brian Boucher". Awful Announcing. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  27. ^ "NBC Sports, Pierre McGuire insist analyst has not been removed from No. 1 broadcast team". www.sportingnews.com. August 12, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  28. ^ Gleeson, Scott. "Hall of Fame hockey announcer Mike 'Doc' Emrick retiring from broadcasting". USA TODAY. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  29. ^ Chiari, Mike. "Wayne Gretzky, Kenny Albert, Eddie Olczyk Join Turner Sports' NHL Coverage Team". Bleacher Report. Turner Sports.
  30. ^ Roumeliotis, Charlie (July 18, 2022). "Source: Olczyk moving on from Hawks as color analyst". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  31. ^ Thompson, Phil (July 18, 2022). "Eddie Olczyk: Chicago Blackhawks TV analyst not returning". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  32. ^ Morse, Dan (August 16, 2022). "Alison Lukan & Nick Olczyk to join Kraken broadcast team this season". Davy Jones Locker Room. Vox Media. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  33. ^ Agrest, Jeff (July 18, 2022). "Blackhawks TV analyst Eddie Olczyk bolts for Seattle Kraken after Hawks talks break down". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  34. ^ Powers, Scott (December 17, 2015). "Olczyk family living the hockey life". ESPN. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  35. ^ "Seattle NHL expansion team hires Ricky Olczyk as assistant GM". NHL.com. September 3, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  36. ^ Hine, Chris (August 8, 2017). "Blackhawks analyst Eddie Olczyk announces he has colon cancer". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  37. ^ "Medical update on Eddie Olczyk". Chicago Blackhawks. August 9, 2017.
  38. ^ Lazerus, Mark (August 9, 2017). "Eddie Olczyk is receiving treatment for colon cancer". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  39. ^ Allen, Kevin. "Eddie Olczyk returning to NBC Sports booth Wednesday; will work as health allows". USA TODAY. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  40. ^ Andracki, Tony (March 23, 2018). "Amazing news: Eddie Olczyk is cancer-free". NBC Sports. NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  41. ^ Myers, Tracey (September 23, 2023). "Olczyk announces on air that he is cancer-free | NHL.com". www.nhl.com. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  42. ^ "Eddie Olczyk talks new book 'Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life'". ABC7 Chicago. October 14, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2021.

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Preceded byBruce Cassidy Chicago Black Hawks first round draft pick 1984 Succeeded byDave Manson Preceded byRick Kehoe Head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins 2003–2005 Succeeded byMichel Therrien
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