Pat Foley’s next season behind the mic with the Blackhawks will be his last one.
On Wednesday, the team announced that Foley would be stepping away from the team following the 2021-22 season, the final year under his current contract.
The team said that the hunt for Foley’s replacement “is currently underway.” Foley himself thanked the team in a statement, noting that “I cannot guarantee that I would like to continue beyond the length of my contract.”
“Listening to the great Lloyd Pettit fostered a love for the Chicago Blackhawks and broadcasting at an early age. To follow in his footsteps and broadcast for the team for nearly 40 years is a dream come true for a Chicago native,” said Foley. “Any kid who eats, sleeps and breathes sports, grows up wanting to play for their hometown team. Thankfully for me, I realized early on that my playing career wouldn’t last beyond intramurals and that broadcasting was the next best thing to staying around the game. I have had conversations with the Blackhawks about my future, and because I cannot guarantee that I would like to continue beyond the length of my contract that ends after next season, they must look ahead. I support and respect their plan to transition the broadcast booth and I’m thankful to the Wirtz family and the Blackhawks for this opportunity.”
Foley has called Blackhawks games since the 1980 season, with a two-season break from 2006-08 after Blackhawks management let Foley go. During those years, he stayed in town, calling games for the AHL’s Chicago Wolves. Since his return, Foley has mainly worked with Eddie Olczyk, who will also reportedly be working with Kenny Albert in Turner’s inaugural NHL booth this season.
Yes, Foley has made verbal missteps in recent seasons, but he’s an institution on Blackhawks broadcasts, and he’ll be tough to replace.
