Pat Foley

Pat Foley
Born (1954-12-23) December 23, 1954
Glenview, Illinois[1]
Occupation Television broadcaster, sports announcer
Years active 1977–present

Pat Foley (born December 23, 1954)[1] is the Hockey Hall of Fame television play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League.

A native of Glenview, Illinois, Foley graduated from Loyola Academy and received a degree in telecommunications from Michigan State University. He joined the Blackhawks' broadcasting crew at the age of 26 after calling games for the now-defunct Grand Rapids Owls of the International Hockey League, and he quickly became recognized as the "Voice of the Blackhawks." From 1995 to 1998, he called NHL games on Fox.

Foley was the announcer in Midway's arcade game 2 on 2 Open Ice Challenge.

In May 2006, the Blackhawks organization made the controversial decision to withdraw their contract offer to the popular Foley, citing unspecified "personal" reasons. The team also ended their simulcasts, replacing Foley on radio with former New York Islanders broadcaster John Wiedeman and on television with former Columbus Blue Jackets voice, Dan Kelly, Jr..

On September 12, 2006, the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League named Foley their cable television play-by-play announcer for the 2006–07 season. The broadcasts were also simulcast over the internet, and on a radio station available only in the arena. Foley teamed with Bill Gardner, who was once his partner on Blackhawks broadcasts.

On June 16, 2008, the Blackhawks announced Foley's return as their television play-by-play announcer.[2] He is usually joined in the booth by analyst Ed Olczyk. On occasions where Olczyk covers national telecasts for either NBC or the NBC Sports Network, studio analyst Steve Konroyd provides color commentary.[3]

Foley recorded a recreated call of Patrick Kane's Stanley Cup-winning overtime goal, which was played at the celebration of the Blackhawks' first Cup win in 49 years.

On December 30, 2010, it was announced that Foley and Olczyk signed a three-year extension to stay with the Blackhawks.

On June 5, 2014, Foley was selected as the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award winner for hockey broadcasting by the Hockey Hall of Fame.

References

  1. 1 2 "Blackhawks Broadcasters Foley & Olczyk Receive Three Year Extensions". Chicagoland Radio and Media. December 31, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  2. "Pat Foley returns to Hawks". Chicago Sun-Times. June 16, 2008. Archived from the original on July 1, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
  3. "People & Personalities: Foley Officially Back With Blackhawks". Sports Business Journal. June 17, 2008. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
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