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Eddie Olczyk Publicly Criticizes Leah Hextall on Air

Photo of Igor Burdetskiy Igor Burdetskiy Follow on X April 10, 2023
2 1 minute read

Over the weekend, there was an unusual interaction on air during one of the National Hockey League broadcasts, which did not go unnoticed by attentive fans who caught every word of it.

On Saturday, veteran NHL broadcaster Eddie Olczyk appeared to criticize fellow NHL broadcaster Leah Hextall by making some vague allusions to famous calls being copied by other broadcasters. Olczyk’s tone during his comments appeared to indicate that he was clearly irritated by something, but he never specifically called anyone out or even mentioned a name.

“It is the sincerest form of flattery right, is imitation?” asked a frustrated sounding Olczyk. “But if you are going to imitate somebody, like on a goal call, just make sure you give that person credit please. Ok? Right is that fair? JT that’s fair right?”

Given the other people in the booth with Olczyk at the time of his comments, including fellow NHL broadcaster John Forslund, who is the ‘JT’ mentioned above, fans were quick to put two and two together.
Prior to Olczyk’s comments, Leah Hextall used Forslund’s famous “hey hey what do you say” during a game between the Seattle Kraken and the Arizona Coyotes this past Thursday after the Kraken scored their fourth goal. In the short video below, you can hear both the suspected clip that led to Olczyk’s comments as well as the comments themselves.

Here’s an example of Forslund making the call himself, as he has done numerous times before:

 

Igor Burdetskiy

Igor Burdetskiy

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & CEO at Hooked on Hockey Magazine
I grew up playing Ball and Roller Hockey day and night somewhat religiously throughout elementary and middle school. The two don't compare though when I lace up the skates and hit the ice. I live and breathe hockey beyond the perspective of "it's just a game" and I will gladly talk hockey for hours with anyone. Hockey is more than just a lifestyle, it's a culture of passionate people who make memories every time the puck is dropped. Hockey has not only helped me get through some of the hardest times in life but has created some of the best memories to date. Want to talk hockey with me? Shoot me an email: iburdetskiy@hookedonhockey.com and let's talk some hockey!
Igor Burdetskiy
Photo of Igor Burdetskiy Igor Burdetskiy Follow on X April 10, 2023
2 1 minute read
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