Ed Olczyk is back in the Blackhawks family in a big way.
The Chicago native was announced Saturday as a team ambassador, and he’ll also work as a CHSN analyst for select games, including Saturday night’s matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes. It’s a role that puts one of the franchise’s most recognizable figures back in the mix, both around the organization and on the broadcast side.
Olczyk joins Denis Savard, Chris Chelios, Jeremy Roenick and Pat Foley in the ambassador group. In that role, he’ll help connect the Blackhawks’ history to the present while also supporting efforts to grow the game across Chicagoland. He’ll take part in a variety of team events over time as well.
“Eddie Olczyk is part of the fabric of this franchise and this city. From the kid who grew up cheering in the stands, to the player who wore the sweater on home ice, to the voice that brought Blackhawks hockey into Chicago homes for years, few people have meant more to our fans,” said Blackhawks President of Business Operations Jaime Faulkner. “We're thrilled to welcome Eddie home as a Blackhawks Ambassador, and we know our fans will be just as excited to see him back where he belongs.”
The fit makes sense. Olczyk was born in Chicago, became the Blackhawks’ third overall pick in the 1984 NHL Draft, and went on to log a long NHL career that included stops with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets. He finished with 794 career points and also won the Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994.
After his playing days, Olczyk moved into coaching and spent one season as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins during Sidney Crosby’s rookie year. He later built a 16-year run as a color analyst on television, making his return to CHSN a familiar next chapter.
“The Blackhawks have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in Chicago dreaming about this team, and I got to live that dream by pulling on the sweater as a player and telling the story of this franchise as a broadcaster,” said Olczyk.
“To come home and represent the Blackhawks as an ambassador means more to me than I can put into words. I want to thank Danny Wirtz and Jaime Faulkner for welcoming me back and making this possible.
Chicago is my home, the Blackhawks are my team, and my family and I are thrilled to be back with our fans.”
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