1 Pound Of Ground Pork Is How Many Cups, Izod Impact Test Advantages And Disadvantages, Jane Austen Festival 2022, Animal Jobs Without Degree, Articles E

Good, high-quality broadcasters matter, and with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews being the exception, this feels tougher than losing any player. His brother, Ricky, was in the front office. He won the Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994. 08/26/2019. He called the Blackhawks' games through a historic run of championship hockey. His oldest son, also named Eddie, is a 26-year-old assistant coach at Niagara University. His own brush with mortality isnt something new Kraken television voice Eddie Olczyk takes lightly; a well-chronicled bout with Stage 3 colon cancer not too long ago he wasnt certain hed survive. (from Eddie Olczyk leaving Blackhawks, will join Krakens broadcast team, The AthleticNHL, 07/18/2022) Sharp indicated in the past he wasnt sure if he would want to deal with live color broadcasting. Ricky had a few small professional hockey opportunities out of college, but decided against them. 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. "They love what they're doing," Ed said of his sons. Edward Walter Olczyk Jr. (/oltk/; 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. Their daughter, Alexandra is a student at the University of Alabama. 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. As though the Blackhawks were giving onlookers much to be optimistic about in the first place, their ability to find the right fit in this regard that quickly seems farfetched at best. 204 ratings24 reviews. [9] 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. A post shared by Chicago Blackhawks (@nhlblackhawks). A third brother, Randy, 44, works at Chicagoland Commercial, an area real estate company. Along with being a longtime color commentator for the NHL . Olczyk has rented a two-bedroom apartment in the Seattle suburb of Bellevue. Secure payments & money back guarantee. Some changes perhaps will be for the better, but letting the best hockey analyst on TV walk out the door will not be one of them. Of course, not knowing the details of the negotiation, its hard to gauge what that offer may or may not have looked like. At the same time , Its strange, Nick Olczyk says later. For me, what it did was it reassured me that I was in a pretty good place before I was sick. He has represented the organization as well as anyone could, through good times and bad. The couple now owns four thoroughbred horses and hes also a big advocate of the safety of the animals. I just expressed to them that I felt at this particular time it was best for me step away. Last season, he got a chance to call his first NHL games for the Blackhawks and did many more than expected when Murray missed games while battling cancer. His older fans followed him from his days in National Hockey League while his younger fans . 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. Would she thrive in a bigger role? On July 18, it was announced that beloved Chicago Blackhawks ' broadcaster Eddie Olczyk would leave the organization after serving 16 years as a color . But as a woman, Im probably a bit partial. He hopes that with the support and encouragement from my family, the Chicago Blackhawks organization, NBC Sports and all my friends and fans he will be back in the broadcast booth soon. Before leaving to join Team Israel, Cubs prospect Matt Mervis shared why this WBC means so much to him. His adoration for the organization was obvious and it oozed out in the best of ways. 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. The two sides fit perfectly in that regard. And just make sure I walk into the right booth. Just the way everything worked out and everybody kind of being in the places and the opportunity that was there, I needed to take a step back and figure out if that was (what I wanted).. He eventually arrives at a restaurant. He was hired by the Edmonton Oilers in 2007 as director of hockey administration and legal affairs, and eventually was promoted to assistant general manager. Eddie Olczyk was ready to give up. Olczyk, who turns 51 on Aug. 16, has been the in-game analyst for Chicago Blackhawks games on Comcast SportsNet Chicago and WGN-TV since the 2006-07 season. Olczyk was recently named the NHL Hockey Fights Cancer Ambassador for the 2019-20 season and his new book " Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life " tells the story of his fight . Olczyk, who has been on Hawks broadcasts since 2006, couldn't reach an agreement with management on a new contract. Those who are a fan of image upscaling and Fallout 4 will be pleased to In a lot of ways, all this seems very normal. Its not what we knew. My husband worked a lot of hours. I never thought, to be completely honest, Id get 35 games last year, let alone one. Nothing is said in exchange, and he carries on. And so, it was fully wanting to ask their permission, and we just took our time.. But, with the attention surrounding the story, he couldn't help but clear the air. Thats as far as Im gonna go on that. Book a personalized video $49. Enter Search Term. They couldn't come to terms on a new contract. "For 16 seasons, we were fortunate to have legendary broadcaster Eddie Olczyk bring Chicago Blackhawks hockey into the homes of our fans. Awesome! He often traveled for NHL games and his work still leads him to travel across the country. There was a contract on the table, but I have decided to step away. August 11, 2022. He is also ranked in the richest person list from United States. His son, Nick, has rented near him, but on a more permanent basis as he develops Kraken content across TV, radio and digital platforms. Players, coaches, execs vote for NHL's top centers, Road to the men's Frozen Four: Conference tournaments at a glance, Theodore scores in SO, Golden Knights beat Devils 4-3, Lineup picks, matchups, start or sit advice for Friday. Previously, he covered the Blackhawks and the White Sox for ESPN Chicago. 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. He did over 200 games in Indy and got an unbelievable opportunity when my former linemate, Troy, got sick. 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. Eddie went on to become one of the United States' top players. Is Larry Elder Related to the Late Golf Legend, Lee Elder. Later tied by Phil Kessel, the record would stand until being passed by Patrick Kane in 2015-16 season. Yes, I do. He had 794 points (342 goals, 452 assists) in 1,031 games for the Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs, and was part of the Rangers' 1994 Stanley Cup championship. With the Blackhawks heading into unchartered territory, with pain ahead for every inch of the franchise, it almost seems fitting that Olczyk has found a way to escape it all in advance. The 18 game streak would remain a Toronto franchise record (tied with Darryl Sittler until being surpassed in December 2022 by Mitch Marner. The root cause of. He wanted theopportunity to join the winners circle with Diana O. one day. We . Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. At 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, he was the most skilled of the "Clydesdales," playing on a line with Troy Murray and Curt Fraser early in his Blackhawks career. Having said that, this is a huge, huge blow for the Blackhawks and their fans. Olczyk won't return as a color commentator for Hawks games on NBC Sports Chicago,. They showed an extreme interest in wanting me, or at least exploring the opportunity, Olczyk said of the Kraken. You need that entering a rebuild, and theyre missing out. He has also written for the Daily Herald and the Chicago Sun-Times and has been a sportswriter in the Chicagoland area for the past 15 years. And its been hard with my mother. Throughout his life he transitioned his focus to many different career paths but after he was diagnosed with cancer his priorities shifted. And it all began with that little yellow pamphlet. And the rumor mill started swirling. They're just good people and hardworking. He has one brother Rick Olczyk, who is also involved in the hockey profession. Every time his dad would get traded or signed somewhere new, there was the rest of the Olczyk clan. His son, Eddie Jr., who played junior hockey with Brown in the USHL, was already a Kraken scout, while his other son, Nick, has also joined the ROOT broadcast crew. Lightning, his father was diagnosed with colon cancer. The nurse keeps popping in and out not to check on Diana, but to tell Olczyk that the Maple Leafs. He worked on the coaching staff of Niagara Universitys hockey team and is currently a coach at Bemidji State University, UMass. Thirteen just wouldn't have the same ring to it. The credibility that Olczyk brought to his role was second to none. He has one sibling Rick Olczyk, who is additionally engaged with hockey calling. He underwent a surgical procedure to remove the tumor. But despite Rocky Wirtzs feelings for him, the Hawks drew a line with Olczyk. Neither would eleven, five, or even six. 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). Whos to say the Blackhawks cant find another as they were lucky enough to find two? Nick played for the Colorado College Tigers and, in 2022, became a television studio analyst for the Seattle Kraken. He also uses those flights to catch up on whats going on around the league or in horse racing, which he still broadcasts for NBC. Eddie Olczyk owns decision to leave Blackhawks, but he didnt arrive at it alone, Cubs Justin Steele back on track after efficient first spring-training start, Cubs spring-training camp thins as WBC participants leave for tournament, Bulls get a painful lesson in what a real playoff team should look like, Sectional final roundup: Simeon, St. Ignatius win in 3A; Oswego East takes down Joliet West in 4A, Blown leads continue plaguing Bulls as Billy Donovan searches for a fix, Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson concludes frenetic trade deadline week with reflective Friday, Dear Abby: When my husbands brother marries, I should be in the wedding, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and wife to invest $250 million in new Chicago research lab, Jose Abreu on life with the Astros and leaving the White Sox, who werent a family in 2022, Chicago police officer was shot and killed in front of kids playing at school: They ran as quickly as possible just to get to safety, Dear Abby: With boyfriends fussy father living here, I feel trapped, Tom Sizemore dies at 61; actor known for Saving Private Ryan, Natural Born Killers. "It was a decision that I wrestled with for a while," Olczyk said on Unfiltered while talking to Pat Boyle. "Both my boys and my brother, and (general manager) Ronnie Francis, we. 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. Eddie Olczyk (right) and Pat Foley are calling Blackhawks playoff games together but apart. Olczyk kept saying, It was time to step back. With his brother Ricky being the assistant general manager for the Kraken, Perhaps he just saw this new opportunity as a better way to go out than the slog that will probably be the Blackhawks for years to come. Can you guys wear a name tag for me? Chris Riva Leaving FOX19 NOW: Where Is the Cincinnati Anchor Going? The 55-year-old spent the past 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks as their TV color . 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. Eddie Olczyk revealed that he has cancer but wont let it defeat him thanks to the support of his wife and family. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. "I think both sides certainly expected to get a contract done.". Instead, Olczyk will join the Kraken while remaining as an analyst for TNT. Blindsided. His son Nick discussed a TV studio analyst role with the Kraken and signed with the organization before his father did. Perfect hires, Blackhawks forever, and so I think its a win-win for them doing the games, Olczyk said. What weve gone through transitionally, moving, new schools, finding doctors, friends, thats crazy. Hall of Fame play-by-play voice Pat Foley and Olczyk worked together for 14 years, and they were always entertaining and informative. He'll be back on his feet, in the booth, and at the track in no time. It is Nov. 10, 1990 and Eddie Olczyk's wife is well into labour at a Scarborough hospital. He is one of us, a Blackhawks fan. The Blackhawks granted that permission, which Olczyk said surprised him. Saying that tongue-in-cheek as I'm eating my heart out. Given their current outlook, he may have realized there was no better time than the present. 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 also did interim Blackhawks radio work last season after their analyst, Troy Murray, was diagnosed with cancer. With Kevin Durant now in the mix, the new-look Suns showed the Bulls just how much firepower they have. And now to have a full-time job as a broadcaster in the NHL, its unbelievable. Hell join the Krakens broadcast booth and continue as an analyst for TNT. Am I working with Kenny (Albert), or Johnny (Forslund) or Jonesy (Keith Jones) or J.T.? Who Is Kimmi Chex? The Kraken were well aware of Olczyks contract status. T Eddie Olczyk is moving on from the organization after 16 seasons as the team's TV color analyst, a source confirmed to NBC Sports Chicago. Ed Olczyk is a member of NBC's Horse Racing coverage. Short Bio. Not confident at all. We appreciate his many contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors.. The Family Man. He didnt elaborate on theirlove story, but obviously, it worked out well for this longtime married couple. Olczyk, who turns 51 on Aug. 16, had surgery last week, and Chicago Blackhawks team physician Dr. Michael Terry said . 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. 4.05. Updated hourly, with analysis, commentary and features from hundreds writers worldwide, our articles are read over 5 million times every month. He grew up watching the Blackhawks on TV and then he was drafted by them in 1984. Olczyk is the latest big name to leave the organization, which has been undergoing turnover in seemingly every facet of business and hockey operations. Theres great disappointment, but this was my decision. "[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]. He even stated, I will die a Blackhawk. Because of that, he could relay what most were thinking, whether good or bad. The weather has even surprised him. Although the news is still shocking, the dust has settled after a few days. He's a fighter to the core and is going to beat this. We are going to miss him as much as our fans will. That allowed the Kraken to swoop in. Try a week on us. 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.. "The hockey world is something we wouldn't trade for anything, and the positivity and encouraging messages that have come our way during this unexpected and difficult time has truly been incredible. Add local institution Eddie Olczyk to the list. "I had a great meeting earlier today with Rocky Wirtz and had a great meeting with Danny Wirtz and Jaime Faulkner. NHL trade deadline: Winners and losers, including the Bruins, Devils and Bruce Boudreau? My favorite Edzo moment came back in March 2018, when the Blackhawks were playing the Vancouver Canucks. Exactly one year after his diagnosis, there was one goal remaining: Olczyk was to watch son Eddie Jr. get married Saturday. Someone is seated inside the otherwise-empty restaurant, and Olczyk explains hes going into the other room to be interviewed. Broadcasters can rarely connect with a vast audience, and he was able to do that because of how relatable he is. 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 it was not meant to be. Its not normal. Eddie, we look up words like courage, grace, professionalism, family man; your picture shows up all over them. Id like to say that Im shocked, but numb might be a more fitting word to use at this point. The news of Olczyk leaving the Blackhawks. With his adoptive family, the Touhys, and other influential . And Olczyk is still awaiting a finalized national broadcast schedule from TNT before he knows which ROOT games hell do. 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. Olczyk was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic hockey team and was a No. The boys have a lot of those traits. [10] Olczyk's daughter Zandra attended the University of Alabama. Though I didnt necessarily think this meant Olczyk would leave the booth, Im not necessarily as shocked about this news as others. "For 16 seasons, we were fortunate to. In 1920 there were 2 Olczyk families living in Michigan. The record was broken by Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks during the 201516 season. 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 family has received after his father was diagnosed with colon cancer last week: Tweet from @Edzo16: Thank you for your support pic.twitter.com/MdKuObmPr6, "After what has been a very emotional number of days for my family, I'd like to say thank you for the unbelievable amount of support we have received," said Olczyk Jr., an assistant hockey coach at Bemidji State University. But, he hopes you enjoyed his time in Chicago. Olczyk was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. Eddie will always be part of the Blackhawks family. Olczyk's brother Ricky is a Kraken assistant general manager, his son Eddie is an amateur scout and general manager Ron Francis is a close friend. Sign up for our regular 'Blackhawks Newsletter' for all the latest. See Also: Paul Mooney Gay, Net Worth, Wife, Health, Family. He was one last thing to cling to, and now he is gone. It started with multiple reports detailing that he was stepping away. Olczyk's contract expired on June 30. Olczyk was born and raised in Chicago. He went to a couple of Seattle Mariners games. On July 11, 2012, Olczyk became the 16th Blackhawks player elected into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. Honestly, you could probably put Olczyk in any hockey TV booth around the league and hed be more than fine. Blackhawks TV analyst Eddie Olczyk bolts for Seattle Kraken after Hawks talks break down, Eddie Olczyk owns decision to leave Blackhawks, but he didnt arrive at it alone, Cubs Justin Steele back on track after efficient first spring-training start, Cubs spring-training camp thins as WBC participants leave for tournament, Bulls get a painful lesson in what a real playoff team should look like, Sectional final roundup: Simeon, St. Ignatius win in 3A; Oswego East takes down Joliet West in 4A, Blown leads continue plaguing Bulls as Billy Donovan searches for a fix, Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson concludes frenetic trade deadline week with reflective Friday, Dear Abby: When my husbands brother marries, I should be in the wedding, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and wife to invest $250 million in new Chicago research lab, Jose Abreu on life with the Astros and leaving the White Sox, who werent a family in 2022, Chicago police officer was shot and killed in front of kids playing at school: They ran as quickly as possible just to get to safety, Dear Abby: With boyfriends fussy father living here, I feel trapped, Tom Sizemore dies at 61; actor known for Saving Private Ryan, Natural Born Killers. At the end of the day it is always about money and terms. Blackhawks fans: what will you miss the most? The grueling ordeal, chronicled in hisBeating the Odds: In Hockey and in Lifebook co-authored with Perry Lefko, ended in March 2018 when he announced on-air he was cancer-free. On behalf of the Writz family, thank you for what you do for us every day. Reviews. His son Eddie was a Kraken amateur scout. He also currently serves as the Horse Racing Handicapper and Analyst for NBC's Horse Racing Coverage. Olczyk explained he tried to keep a "low profile" during the day. 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 . as well as a few other broadcasts, he accumulated many frequent flier miles! But the Kraken really liked what they saw and felt he could be their Swiss Army knife, so to speak.. Im not very confident. I never dreamed hed make it to the NHL this fast, and it was an unfortunate circumstance. He would have been honest, but also positive, about the new direction. They may not know what an icing is, or a specific slang in hockey. Ricky looked up to his older brother throughout Eddie's hockey ascension and began dedicating himself to the sport as well. In Seattle, Olczyk will be reunited with occasional TNT platform mate John Forslund on ROOT Sports Northwest and younger brother Rick Olczyk, an assistant GM of the Kraken. He has more than earned the right to command whatever he wants as far as contracts go. Eddie Olczyk's cancer battle was an extended family affair. By: Caroline John - Published: August 9, 2017 at 10:20 am, Photo: Ronald Martinez / Staff/ Getty Images. Currently, Rick is an assistant general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes. He scored 180 points in the first three seasons of his hockey career that he spent with the Blackhawks. Michigan had the highest population of Olczyk families in 1920. Eddie Olczyk fans are of all ages. He was traded several times during his career. Once the time came, the longtime broadcaster initiated meetings with Rocky and Danny Wirtz and Jaime Faulkner. Pat Foley (born 1954) is an American retired play-by-play commentator for ice hockey . Diana Olczyk and Eddie Olczyk are the parents of 4 children Eddie Olczyk is happily married to Diana Olczyk.. His travel is longer. 1 Marriage 4 Children. Thats just whatever. First, he hit on Majestic . Eddie Olczyk. Eddie Olczyk has a high-flying career literally. Despite ample legal trouble, Sizemore had steady film and television credits. However, I feel like that may not be a realistic possibility, considering the teams apparent youth movement. However, it took him a long time to return to loving horse racing again. For as good as Olczyk is a broadcaster, I will even more so miss his personality and what he brought to the broadcasts as a human being. 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. Eddie Olczyk joined the Seattle Kraken broadcast team as a television analyst Thursday. 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 . Heres what you need to know about Eddie Olczyks wife, Diana Olczyk. With Kevin Durant now in the mix, the new-look Suns showed the Bulls just how much firepower they have. Olczyk feels the same. 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. For a working-class family, that wasn't always easy. He continues through another door that leads him outside, then through another door back inside. Eddie Olczyk, Perry Lefko. Tommy, 25, is a senior forward for nationally ranked Penn State. Rather, we get to remember the calls that made celebrating their achievements that much more because he was part of sharing the good news. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. According to multiple media reports, Eddie Olczyk is leaving his role as the color analyst for NBC Sports Chicago's broadcasts of Blackhawks games. A few years ago, I got his book Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life, which is a fascinating read. 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. Send the video to friends and family and don't forget to capture their priceless reactions. But Danny and Jaime had come out this year, and we spent time with them. It will be a growing season within the booth next year for sure. But although that scare made him want to fight for the things he already appreciated, the death last summer of Olczyks mother, Diana, reminded him there was still more hed like to do. The NFL pro-turned-sports-analysts life revolves around hockey and Eddie Olczyks wife is also a fan of the sport. And so when I got sick, theres some peace with that.. Seattle has become another home for Olczyk. He and Pat Foley, who is also now gone. Ricky has been the [family] captain and caretaker of my dad. Clearly, the Blackhawks are taking the concept of a rebuild to a whole new level. 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. All you young hockey fans out there, Keep your stick on the ice!, Stop it right there. He became, as Boyle put, "the soundtrack" to the Hawks' dynasty. The Blackhawks are undergoing a true rebuild, and Olczyk would have been a credible voice for the fans. At least the way Eddie Olczyk sees it. He had worked many national games with Forslund over the years, so there was immediate comfort there. Their sons, Nick, Tommy and Eddie III followed their fathers footsteps. , but obviously, it worked out well for this longtime married couple. "I've always tied it somehow. During the games first intermission, he announced he was cancer-free, and his openness during and after his battle never failed to amaze me. Olczyk has several connections to the Kraken. He spent 16 years in the National Hockey League, playing for six teams, including the Penguins. "I kid them every so often, 'You guys never had a real job.' Health: Olzic released a statement via Blackhawks announcing that he had been diagnosed with colon cancer. As the MC of the Blackhawks town-hall event Feb. 2, Hawks TV analyst Eddie Olczyk introduced the panel of team executives chairman Rocky Wirtz, CEO Danny Wirtz and president of business operations Jaime Faulkner. These are some really, really big shoes to fill. Everyone's schedule had to be in sync to get to practices on time. I think both sides certainly expected to get a contract done. That was hard to hear because it seemed like all the Blackhawks had to do was give him what he wanted. There is something fun about being a pioneer, Leiweke said. We're able to talk about anything and everything. His contract with the Blackhawks expired on June 30, and a team source said the leadership group was "blindsided" by Olczyk's decision to leave.