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Pat Foley
Born (1954-12-23)December 23, 1954
Native of Chicago's North Shore area
Occupation Chicago Blackhawks Play-by-Play TV Broadcaster; sports announcer

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

A native of Chicago's North Shore, 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." In 1991, he won an Emmy Awar for Outstanding Achievement in a Live Sports Program, and in 2001, he was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame, joining such local legends as Jack Brickhouse and Harry Caray. From 1995 to 1996, he called NHL games on Fox-TV.

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. He is usually joined in the booth by analyst Ed Olczyk. On occasions where Olczyk covers national telecasts for Versus or NBC, either studio analyst Steve Konroyd provides color commentary.[1]

Notes[]

  1. "People & Personalities: Foley Officially Back With Blackhawks", Sports Business Journal, June 17, 2008. Retrieved on March 18, 2009. 
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