EDDIE OLCZYK MAKES DONATION TO ROCK RIVER VALLEY PANTRY

Rockford, Ill. – The Rock River Valley Pantry is getting a $2,500 donation courtesy of U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer and Chicago Blackhawks television color analyst Eddie Olczyk.

Olczyk recently attended a Rockford IceHogs game for Eddie Olczyk Night presented by Pepsi, where the former NHLer met with fans and dropped the ceremonial first puck. Following the game, Olczyk decided to make a personal donation to the Rock River Valley Pantry to help feed families in need.

The Rock River Valley Pantry is designed to help the community by providing nutritious food to those in urgent need. On average, the organization assists 7,000 individuals per month with 40% being children.

“As the number of Winnebago County citizens that are living at or under the poverty levels increases, so does the demand for the Rock River Valley Pantry’s services. It continues to be our mission to provide a healthy, nutritionally balanced emergency food relief program to families, individuals, and elderly who are in need of assistance,” said Rock River Valley Pantry Executive Director Kim Adams-Bakke.

Olczyk is in his ninth season as the Television Color Analyst for Blackhawks hockey on Comcast SportsNet Chicago and WGN-TV Channel 9. He also serves as a color analyst for NBC on nationally televised broadcasts. His playing career includes 794 points (342g-452a) in 1,031 NHL games for the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Olczyk was a member of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers team.

On the international stage, Olczyk competed in the 1984 Olympics as a member of Team USA and also represented the U.S. in numerous international competitions. He was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame on Oct. 15, 2012, and into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.

Next Home Game: Sunday, Nov. 22 vs. Lake Erie at 4 p.m. The IceHogs face Lake Erie for the first time all season on Stanley Cup Night at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Rockford will celebrate its alumni and the 2015 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks by displaying the Cup for fans in attendance. Hub Printing will give away 2,500 posters celebrating the Blackhawks championships.