Blackhawks TV Analyst Eddie Olcyzk Says He's Cancer-Free

CHICAGO, IL — Chicago sports fans had more than one feel-good moment to celebrate Thursday night. Not only did Loyola have a dramatic, late-game victory over Nevada to extend its underdog run through the NCAA tournament and put them one win away from the Final Four, but Eddie Olczyk announced he was cancer-free following seven months of treatment.

Olcyzk — a Hall of Famer who played two stints with the Blackhawks from 1984-1987 and 1999-2000 — made the announcement during Thursday's NBC Sports Chicago broadcast of the Blackhawks-Canucks game. His friend and broadcast partner, Pat Foley, was at his side at the time.

"I’ve had enough crying to last me a lifetime, partner, and I’m just so excited that I got that call on March the fourteenth at 5:07 p.m., letting me know that my scans were clear," Olcyk said on air.

More Patch Coverage:

• Blackhawks Analyst Eddie Olczyk Battling Colon Cancer
• Olczyk Back On TV After Chemo Treatments

In August, Olcyzk revealed he had been diagnosed with colon cancer and had begun treatment, including chemotherapy. That treatment kept him out of the announcing chair for some early games in the 2017-18 season.

But in October, the Chicago native returned to the broadcast booth as the Blackhawks' TV analyst after completing three weeks of his 24-week chemotherapy program.

Eddie Olczyk at the 40th annual U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Dinner in 2012. (Photo by Ronald Martinez | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images)