Eddie Olczyk

Eddie Olczyk had built a life and career most people could only dream of. Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, he fell in love with the game of hockey during an era when most kids preferred balls to pucks. Against all odds, he played on the 1984 U.S. Olympic hockey team as a 17-year-old, and four months later he was drafted in the first round by his hometown Chicago Blackhawks. During an illustrious 16-year career, he played for and alongside some of the greatest franchises and players in history, winning a Stanley Cup with the unforgettable 1994 New York Rangers. Years later, he coached former teammate Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby on the Pittsburgh Penguins before transitioning into the broadcast booth, where he has become one of the most recognizable voices of the sport. He then combined his skills as an analyst with his second passion— horse racing—and became an integral part of NBC's coverage of thoroughbreds. Away from the spotlight, Olczyk and his wife of three decades raised four adoring children. He was respected and admired by fans, friends, and peers. Life was sweet. Then, at 7:07 pm on August 4, 2017, his entire world turned upside down. In Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life, one of the biggest names in American hockey has written an inspiring and entertaining memoir of his life both on and off the ice. From shooting hundreds of tennis balls at a goal in his childhood living room to the ups and downs of his improbable hockey career to rollicking stories from the booth and the backstretch, Olczyk guides readers on his journey toward his ultimate test: a battle against Stage 3 colon cancer. For years, Olczyk's goal was to be the best husband, father, broadcaster, and handicapper he could be. Today he has a new one: to bring as much awareness and support to those fighting cancer as he possibly can. In this emotional but often hilarious autobiography, you'll learn why the people who know Eddie Olczyk best might describe him as "tremendously tremendous."

"Emrick loves stories and loves to tell them. Yesterday in broadcasting. Tomorrow in book form." —Steve Simmons, Toronto Sun After nearly 50 years behind the microphone, the voice of hockey in America opens up in a must-read memoir. Mike "Doc" Emrick has seen everything there is to see in a hockey game. Sizzling slap shots. Commitment, courage, and camaraderie. Pugnacious pugilists. Game-winning goals. To hockey fans across the country, his voice—and vocabulary—have become synonymous with the game they love. In Off Mike, Doc takes readers back to the beginning, detailing how a Pittsburgh Pirates fan from small-town Indiana found himself in the wild world of professional hockey, calling games for the New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, and finally NBC. He's covered All-Star Games, Stanley Cup Finals, the Olympics, and everything in between, rubbing shoulders with hockey's immortals both on and off the ice. Yet Doc's life has had its share of ups and downs, from almost leaving behind the love of his life to the passing of beloved companions to personal health scares. After years of being welcomed into our homes, in this autobiography Doc welcomes us into his, revealing the stories, wit, and wisdom that have made him one of the most beloved figures in sports.

With special stories and experiences from fans and memorable moments about past and present players and coaches, this lively, detailed book explores the personalities, events, and facts every Blackhawks fan should know. It contains crucial information such as important dates, player nicknames, and outstanding achievements by singular players. This guide to all things Blackhawks covers the team’s 49-year championship drought, and the transition from Chicago Stadium to the United Center. Now updated through the 2015–2016 season, it also includes the Hawks’ triumphant win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2015 Stanley Cup final.

Jeremy Roenick, one of the premier hockey players of his generation and one of the greatest American stars the NHL has ever known, shares his life story in this frank and unflinching autobiography. After making his debut as an 18-year-old with the Chicago Blackhawks, Roenick thrilled fans with his flashy style, take-no-prisoners approach, and jaw-dropping skills. A native of Boston, Roenickwent on to play for four more franchises including the Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings during his incredible 18-season career. By the time he was through, Roenick had racked up 513 goals the second most of any American-born player and 703 assists. Now a tells-it-like-it-is commentator for NBC and the NHL, Roenick takes readers on a behind-the-scenes, warts-and-all tour through his illustrious career, both on and off the ice."

The Big 50: Chicago Blackhawks is an amazing look at the fifty men and moments that have made the Blackhawks the Blackhawks. Longtime radio analyst Jay Zawaski explores the living history of the team, counting down from number fifty to number one. This dynamic and comprehensive book brings to life the iconic franchise's remarkable story, including greats like Toews, Kane, Mikita, Chelios and more.

A guide for sports fans on how to watch and appreciate the game of hockey More and more fans are watching the NHL each week, but many of them don't know exactly what they should be watching. How does an offense create shooting lanes for its best sniper? When a center breaks through and splits between two defensemen, which defender is to blame? Why does a goalie look like a Hall of Famer one week and a candidate for the minor leagues the next? This guide for sports fans on how to watch and appreciate the game of hockey takes you inside a coach's mind as he builds a roster or constructs a game plan, to the chaos of the goalie's crease, and deep into the perpetual chess match between offense and defense. Discussing topics such as what to look for when a team goes on the power play and why playing center might be the most grueling job in sports, Take Your Eye Off the Puck shows fans how to get the most out of watching their favorite sport.

In Tell Me a Story I Don't Know, veteran sports reporter and broadcaster George Ofman shares his most fascinating conversations with some of the biggest names in sports media. Through these previously untold anecdotes and insights, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the events and moments that have shaped sports history, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at how these moments are shared with the world. With wit, charm, and insight, Ofman's captivating interviews bring to life the voices and personalities that have made sports such an integral part of our culture.Featuring conversations with Bob Costas, Michael Wilbon, Eddie Olczyk, Sarah Kustok, Greg Gumbel, Chris Chelios, and more.

As one of the NHL’s original six teams, the Chicago Blackhawks have given their fans millions of heart-stopping memories, thousands of unforgettable stories, and now six Stanley Cup Championships with their recent 2015 win. Fans of this indomitable team can capture the excitement from the 2014–2015 season and relive all the memories of the beloved franchise in this newly updated edition of Tales from the Chicago Blackhawks Locker Room. From the “Curse of Muldoon” to three championships in five years, the Hawks have a rich history. With all the charm and wit of a sportscaster who has been covering the Blackhawks for over sixty years, Harvey Wittenberg shares the greatest Hawks stories, including their 2010, 2012, and 2015 Stanley Cup title runs. Straight from the source—players, coaches, and managers—Wittenberg offers an informative and entertaining look at the Chicago Blackhawks. Tales from the Chicago Blackhawks Locker Room is a riveting treasure trove of tales sure to delight any sports fan. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports—books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team. Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.