Edward Walter Olczyk Jr., an American former NHL center, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in August 2017 and broadcast his first game since then on Oct. 18 of that year when the Blackhawks played the St. Louis Blues.
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Olczyk issued a statement through the Blackhawks to announce that he had been diagnosed with a form of colon cancer on August 8, 2017. He subsequently underwent a surgical procedure to remove the tumor.
On March 22, 2018, he announced that he was cancer-free.
In October 2019, Olczyk released his autobiography, Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life, in which he shared details of his fight with stage 3 colon cancer.
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His health has not been an issue since, and he is currently in good shape.
Olczyk, who was born on August 16, 1966, spent 16 years in the NHL after being drafted third overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1984.
By the time Olczyk retired in 2000, he had tallied 794 points on 342 goals and 452 assists.
Since calling it quits, the 1994 Stanley Cup champion has served as the primary color commentator for NBC Sports’ No. 1 hockey booth alongside Doc Emrick.
Olczyk has also contributed to NBC Sports as a horse racing analyst, making regular appearances on the network’s various television platforms during Triple Crown season.
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