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Eddie Olczyk
Eddie Olczyk

Eddie Olczyk

Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life
By Eddie Olczyk, By Perry Lefko

SPORTS & RECREATION

336 Pages, 6 x 9

Formats: Cloth, EPUB, Mobipocket, PDF

Cloth, $28.00 (US $28.00) (CA $38.00)

ISBN 9781629377285

Rights: WOR

Triumph Books (Oct 2019)

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Overview

A moving memoir from one of the country's most beloved sports commentators and most recognizable names in American hockey
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.”

Reviews

"Olczyk, with Toronto Sun journalist Lefko, presents a gripping account of his remarkable life, from his selection for the 1984 U.S. Olympic Hockey team through his remarkable battle with colon cancer. Olczyk, now a sportscaster for NHL and NBC, takes readers through his life and career with insights from coaches, teammates, and family members (after being traded to the Winnipeg Jets in 1999, his mother said in frustration, “You’re just a piece of meat”). Without being self-aggrandizing or boastful, Olcyzk draws readers through the ins and outs of professional sports, from the anxiety of trades to the complexities of victory: in recounting his journey of the 1994 Stanley Cup champion New York Rangers, he notes that he was able to celebrate “a dream that every player has from the time they begin to play the game” while combatting a personal decline that “tested my resolve.” While Olczyk discusses the joys of his post-playing career nimbly, it’s his unflinching account of his battle with cancer that truly stands out (in the afterword, his children tell their stories about living with their father through these hard times). Though an obvious must-read for hockey fans, this inspired account of a man battling cancer will appeal to a wider audience, as well." —Publishers Weekly

Author Biography

Eddie Olczyk
See Author
Eddie Olczyk is an Emmy Award-winning television commentator for the NHL and horse racing. He played center for sixteen seasons with the Blackhawks, Penguins, Maple Leafs, Jets,  Rangers, and Kings, and he served as the Penguins' head coach from 2003 to 2005. Perry Lefko is an award-winning Canadian journalist and bestselling author.

Book Signings

Past Events

Feb
09
Eddie Olczyk's "Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life" ›
Winnipeg, Manitoba
1:00pm
Get your copy of "Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds" signed by former NHL star and author Eddie Olczyk.
Jan
18
Eddie Olczyk's "Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life" ›
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
1:00pm
Join NHL star and author Eddie Olczyk at a book signing for his new book, "Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life."
Dec
07
Eddie Olczyk's "Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life" ›
Orland Park , IL
2:00pm
Join NHL star and author Eddie Olczyk at a book signing for his new book, "Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life."
Nov
05
Eddie Olczyk's "Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life" ›
New York, NY
6:00pm
Join NHL star player Eddie Olczyk for the signing of his new book, "Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life."
Oct
19
Eddie Olczyk's "Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life" ›
Schaumburg, Illinois
12:00pm
Eddie Olczyk will be showcasing his new book, "Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life."
Oct
17
Eddie Olczyk's "Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life" ›
Naperville, Illinois
7:00pm
Eddie Olczyk will be signing his new book "Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life."

Press Releases

Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life

By Eddie Olczyk with Perry Lefko 

 

Contact: Bill Ames, Triumph Books, 312.676.4256, b.ames@triumphbooks.com

 

After hearing the cancer diagnosis from his doctor in 2017, Eddie Olczyk knew he had the odds stacked against him; but, just like any challenge in his hockey career, he was determined to see what he could do. He had already surprised the country by making the U.S. Olympic hockey team at 16 years old. He was the first American-born player to be drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks and the first American-born lead hockey analyst. With resolve and perseverance, nothing was insurmountable for Olczyk—a life philosophy that would help him prevail over the toughest times.

 

In Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life (Triumph Books, October 8, 2019), award-winning commentator and hockey star Eddie Olczyk partners with bestselling author Perry Lefko to share his memories playing for hockey’s greatest teams and the surprising twists and turns along the way. Selected third overall in the first round of the 1984 draft by the Chicago Blackhawks, Olczyk became a household name early on in his career. For the first time, he shares a fuller picture of life away from the spotlight and broadcasting booth, revealing his love for the game and his determination to thrive. Highlights include:  

 

  • Deeply personal reflections on the cancer diagnosis that changed Eddie’s outlook on life
  • A look back at Eddie’s early success as an Olympic hockey team member and as a young hometown hero drafted to the Chicago Blackhawks
  • Rare stories that delve into the locker room antics and career milestones with the Blackhawks, Maple Leafs, Jets, the 1994 Stanley Cup champion Rangers team, Kings and the Penguins
  • Quotes from Eddie’s closest friends, family and mentors reflecting on the pivotal moments in Eddie’s life
  • An inside look at Eddie’s transition into coaching the Penguins, broadcasting as a color analyst for NHL games and being a guest commentator for the Triple Crown horse-racing events

 

A compelling memoir about overcoming obstacles and making the most of life’s chances, Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life showcases the accomplished hockey center’s career and personal life that will inspire his loyal fans.

 

About the Authors:

Eddie Olczyk is an Emmy Award-winning television commentator for the NHL and horse racing. He played center for sixteen seasons with the Blackhawks, Penguins, Maple Leafs, Jets,  Rangers, and Kings, and he served as the Penguins' head coach from 2003 to 2005. 

 

Perry Lefko is an award-winning Canadian journalist and bestselling author.

 

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