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Blackhawks Announcer, Ex-Player Eddie Olczyk Diagnosed With Colon Cancer

By Stephen Gossett in News on Aug 8, 2017 11:30PM

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Eddie Olczyk / NHL

Eddie Olczyk, the longtime TV voice of the Blackhawks and hockey analyst for NBC, has been diagnosed with colon cancer and is currently recovering from a procedure to remove a tumor, the team announced on Tuesday.

Blackhawks team doctor Michael Terry explained in a statement that Olczyk will undergo chemotherapy and other treatment in the weeks ahead.


Olczyk said in a statement released by the Blackhawks that he "expects to be back in the broadcast booth after I complete my treatment." Mark Lazerus, Blackhawks beat writer for the Sun-Times, reports that Olczyk—a Chicago native and former Blackhawks draft pick and center—will miss the beginning of the upcoming season.


Olczyk has been broadcasting Hawks games since the 2004 and has been NBC's lead color commentator for national-broadcast games since 2007. It's hard to imagine those games without Olczyk's thoughtful analysis or easy chemistry with play-by-play caller Doc Emrick—or even the famous horse-racing fan's pony asides. Lets hope it won't be long before he's back. The Southwest Side native was drafted third overall by the Hawks in 1984. Olczyk played three full seasons with the team and 16 total in the NHL. Olczyk also coached the Pittsburgh Penguins between his playing days and his transition to the booth, from June 2003 to December 2005.