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Michael D. McElwain STAGE PRESENCE – Eddie Olczyk took to the stage at the Steubenville High School auditorium for the return of the Herald-Star Lecture Series presented by Eastern Gateway Community College. Olczyk spoke about his 16-year NHL career, his career as a hockey and horse racing broadcaster, and his recent battle with stage three colon cancer.
STEUBENVILLE – Eddie Olczyk has done a lot in his life – represented the United States at the Olympics, lifted the Stanley Cup and beat cancer, to name a few.
On Wednesday night, the audience inside the Steubenville High School auditorium heard about these things and more from Olczyk himself on the return of the Herald-Star Lecture Series presented by Eastern Gateway Community College.
Wednesday was the first event of the lecture series since October 23, 2019. The SHS Auditorium was also the site of the series’ debut in 2012.
Olczyk played 16 seasons in the NHL, including two with the Penguins (1996-98), and spent part of two seasons coaching the Penguins (2003-05) and three years as a broadcaster.
“(Pittsburgh is) a major league sports franchise with a small hometown feel,” he said, speaking fondly of his time with the organization and working with Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Lange.
While those in attendance were likely aware of Olczyk’s arrival that evening, he began by telling everyone something they probably didn’t know – he has a connection to the area outside of his. stay in Pittsburgh.
Her stepfather, Tom Vickers, was born in Wheeling and raised in Martins Ferry, the hometown of Olczyk’s stepmother.
Olczyk joked about Vickers’ reaction to learning he was coming to Steubenville, referring to the trips to Steubenville Vickers took as a member of the Purple Riders basketball team in the late 1940s.
A recurring theme in Olczyk’s post, which coincides with his book “Beating the Odds in Hockey and In Life,” was that things happen for a reason.
He recounted how he met his wife during his rookie season with his hometown of the Chicago Blackhawks, when she was a flight attendant on one of the team’s flights, and his best friend, also during his stay in Chicago.
“Everything I have, I owe it to hockey”, he said.
Olczyk played for the 1984 US Olympic hockey team, four years after the famous “Miracle” team, at the age of 16, and credited the 1980 team with opening the door for American players.
“All I ever wanted to do was play hockey” he said.
He laughed at the fact that the 1984 team finished seventh, joking which is always “good enough,” and on how many countries there are in the world before noting that most did not send a hockey team to participate in the games.
The part of the presentation focused on the time after his career took on a more serious tone as he discussed his battle with stage three colon cancer after his diagnosis in August 2017.
“It was the biggest challenge that was given to me”, he said, adding chemotherapy “Test your will to live”.
A heartbreaking conversation with his wife, Diana, at a difficult time in his treatment was recalled, and he thanked her, her family and friends for helping him through the illness.
“If I was alone I wouldn’t be here” Olczyk said, encouraging members of the public to reach out to people they know who are struggling for whatever reason.
He also said the purpose of speaking at events like Wednesday’s and writing his book is to encourage others to take preventative measures he has not taken, to encourage those who are going through their own struggles and those caring for those in need.
After his speech, which lasted over an hour, he answered questions from the audience and signed autographs. Before the event, at Froehlich’s Classic Corner, a VIP meeting took place.
Copies of Olczyk’s book were available for purchase from the Herald-Star during the lead-up to the event and during the event itself, and part of the proceeds from the sale of the book along with the money generated through a basket auction that took place prior to the presentation will go to local cancer centers.
Local high school and junior high school students were able to attend the presentation for free, courtesy of the Wheeling Nailers.
Joining the Herald-Star, Weirton Daily Times, Eastern Gateway Community College, Franciscan University of Steubenville, WVU Medicine – Wheeling Hospital and the Nailers as event sponsors were the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, WesBanco, Dan Stephens State Farm, Froehlich’s Coin Classic and WTRF-TV. Special support was provided by EM-Media, Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority and Steubenville High School.
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