Posted by chicagomedia.org on June 17, 2008 at 10:35:44:
It's Pat: Foley returns to Hawks' booth
After stint with AHL champion Wolves, popular announcer will be the team's play-by-play man on TV
June 17, 2008
BY LEN ZIEHM
Any ill feelings between the Blackhawks and Wolves were forgotten Monday, when the Hawks announced the long-expected return of popular play-by-play announcer Pat Foley.
The Hawks had resented the Wolves for years, feeling the minor-league team was a rival for their fan base, and Foley left amid a rift with Hawks management after 25 years as the team's TV and radio voice. He spent the last two seasons calling Wolves games.
''To work for them was a blessing,'' Foley said. ''I loved being there. [Owner] Don Levin is a wonderful guy. You couldn't ask for a better boss. And [coach] John Anderson and [general manager] Kevin Cheveldayoff both deserve to be in the NHL.''
Anderson might get that shot. He interviewed last week with Atlanta Thrashers general manager Don Waddell and is awaiting a decision by the Wolves' parent club.
Foley, meanwhile, is thrilled to be returning to the Hawks, with whom he will work with a new broadcast partner in Eddie Olczyk. In his previous stint with the Hawks, Foley's partners were Dale Tallon, now the team's general manager, and Bill Gardner, also his partner with the Wolves.
Hawks president John McDonough said pregame and postgame analyst Steve Konroyd will join Foley in the booth when Olczyk has conflicts with his duties for NBC and Versus.
McDonough was pressured to bring back Foley as soon as he was named Hawks president, and he relieved Dan Kelly of TV play-by-play duties after this past season concluded. After that, it was a case of waiting for the Wolves to complete their run to the American Hockey League's Calder Cup before making Foley's hiring official.
''We knew this day was coming for three, four months,'' McDonough said. ''Pat's voice is synonymous with Blackhawks hockey, and it resonates with every one of our fans. Now he's back where he rightfully belongs. This is a proud day for the Blackhawks.''
Foley and McDonough deflected questions about Foley's return until Monday in respect to the Wolves.
''I've known Don Levin for years,'' McDonough said. ''He was extremely cooperative throughout this process. He's a statesman and a gentleman, and he made it very easy for us to talk to Pat.''
Foley said the Hawks didn't contact him until Levin gave his approval.
''It was above board, first class -- the way it should be done,'' Foley said.
In a statement, Levin thanked Foley ''for his talent, personality and professionalism during the past two years.''
''We are particularly proud to have given him the opportunity to broadcast the first championship-winning game for his team in his 27 years of broadcasting,'' Levin said.
The Hawks had a TV/radio simulcast arrangement in Foley's previous stint, but now he'll do only TV. John Wiedeman and Troy Murray will remain the radio team, with WGN-AM (720) replacing WSCR-AM (670) as the outlet.
(Sun-Times)