Skip to content

Olczyk returns to booth as he continues cancer battle

Jeff Vinnick / National Hockey League / Getty

NHL on NBC color commentator Eddie Olczyk is set to make his return to the broadcast booth just two months after being diagnosed with colon cancer.

Olczyk will be part of Wednesday's broadcast, a rivalry-night showdown between the Central Division's Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues.

Olczyk, 51, has completed three rounds of chemotherapy, and will work when his health allows.

"We have some dates that we have highlighted and hopefully I will be strong enough to do the job," Olczyk told Kevin Allen of USA Today. "If I am not feeling good, I just have to be honest with everyone and tell them I can't do it.

"Doing what I love to do will help me pass the time. Looking at the calendar hour by hour, day by day, week by week, month by month gets a little long."

Prior to becoming a broadcaster, Olczyk spent 16 seasons in the NHL, lacing up the skates for six different clubs prior to his retirement in 2000. He later coached 113 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox