Eddie Olczyk, who won the Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994, has been diagnosed with colon cancer, the Blackhawks announced Tuesday.
Olczyk, currently the lead television analyst for the Blackhawks and NBC, had 18 goals and 40 points in 103 games for the Rangers from 1992-95.
“I have been diagnosed with a form of colon cancer and am currently undergoing treatment for the disease,” Olczyk said in a statement. “I have been working with outstanding health care professionals and expect to be back in the broadcast booth after I complete my treatment. Having the support and encouragement from my family, the Chicago Blackhawks organization, NBC Sports and all my friends and fans means the world to me and will give me continued strength to beat this. My family and I appreciate privacy during this time as we focus our attention on my treatments.”
Olczyk had 342 goals and 794 points in 1,031 NHL games. He also was Sidney Crosby’s first NHL coach, but the Penguins fired him 31 games into the 2005-06 season — just his second in charge.
“Eddie Olczyk is a treasured member of the Chicago Blackhawks family and we will be supportive of him as he fights this disease,” Blackhawks CEO John McDonough said in a statement. “We encourage our fans to keep him in their thoughts as we all look forward to having him back in good health as soon as possible.”