Former Blackhawk to Speak at Oswego School District Convocation

Photo: Eddie Olczyk

By Oswego School District 308

Eddie Olczyk, hockey hall of famer, Olympian and voice of the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, will take School District 308 “coast to coast” as this year’s convocation speaker.

The former Blackhawk will address the district administrators, staff and teachers on Friday, Aug. 14, as part of the annual district-wide event to launch the 2015-16 school year. The event is attended by over 2,200 teachers and staff members.

“We are excited to have such a wonderful talent to energize the School District 308 team for the upcoming school year. Throughout his career, Mr. Olczyk has worked hard and it has resulted in his many achievements,” stated Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Wendt. “We look forward to Mr. Olczyk as the special guest speaker at our annual convocation for all employees.”

Olczyk is currently the television color commentator to provide interesting background and details for the National Hockey League (NHL) on NBC and for Chicago Blackhawks games. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in February 2013.

Olczyk grew up in Palos Heights, Ill., and began his career playing high school hockey as a freshman at Brother Rice in 1980. After two years he moved to Canada, where he played for the Stratford Cullitons junior team before joining the U.S. Olympic hockey team. The youngest U.S. player at age 17, he competed in the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo where he scored 9 points in 6 games. The Blackhawks selected Olczyk third overall in the 1984 NHL entry draft. His NHL playing career spanned 16 seasons (1984-2000) with the Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins. He started and ended his career in Chicago.

He served a brief stint coaching for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2003-05. He then partnered with play-by-play announcer Pat Foley for the Blackhawks. Olczyk also became the lead game analyst for 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Men’s Ice Hockey. He is also the voice for the “NHL 15” Electronic Arts Sports videogame.

Olczyk worked the broadcast booth through each of the last three Stanley Cup seasons in Chicago. School District 308 is proud to welcome him to start the school year off on a winning note.