On September 4th, Brother Rice High School welcomed back former Chicago Blackhawk forward and current TV analyst, Eddie Olczyk. Olczyk, who was voted into US Hockey Hall of Fame this summer, came back to his former high school to speak to the current Crusader student body. While some of Olczyk’s talk focused on his playing career, the main reason for his visit was to impart some wisdom on the students.
“Respect and discipline,” Olczyk said, played major roles in shaping his success. As a teenager attending Brother Rice and after he moved to Canada to further pursue his hockey career, Olczyk faced peer pressure just like any normal person. However, Olczyk said he respected himself and had enough self discipline to say no to dangers such drugs and alcohol. Olczyk admitted to only having alcohol twice in his life, one the times coming after he and his team, the New York Rangers, won the Stanley Cup in 1994. Another idea Olczyk passed on to the Crusaders was that no person is better than another. “We all know the difference between right and wrong,” Olczyk said and implored the students to have the courage to stand up for what is right.
Next Olczyk invited his audience to a question and answer session. Several students gladly stepped up to the microphone. One student asked for some advice on how to break into the broadcasting profession. “Start in radio,” replied Olczyk and went on to explain that describing events that people can’t see will improve your skills as a speaker. Another question centered on the current NHL labor dispute between players and owners. Olczyk admitted he believes there will be a lockout, but he hopes a deal can be made sooner rather than later. To end his visit, Olczyk picked out one lucky student from the stands and gave him an autographed Blackhawks’ jersey.
