Former Blackhawk and NBC hockey analyst Eddie Olczyk said Tuesday he is undergoing treatment for colon cancer.
Olczyk was diagnosed last week and underwent a surgical procedure to remove a tumor, according to team physician Dr. Michael Terry. Olczyk is recovering well and is expected to undergo further treatment, including chemotherapy.
“I have been diagnosed with a form of colon cancer and am currently undergoing treatment for the disease," Olzczy 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.”
The former center said the support from his family, the Blackhawks organization, NBC Sports and his friends and fans 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,” he added.
Blackhawks CEO and President John McDonough said in a statement Olczyk “is a treasured member of the Chicago Blackhawks family.”
“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,” McDonough said.
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Olczyk, a first-round pick for the Blackhawks in 1984, grew up in Palos Heights and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013.
