Kelly is out with Hawks, Foley's on deck
Looks like the blog prediction of April 11 is coming true. The Blackhawks fired Dan Kelly as their TV play-by-play man, and Pat Foley almost certainly is on his way back.
Wolves owner Don Levin, who without a doubt is the coolest owner in town - and second-most successful, told me he not only expects the Hawks to pursue Foley, but that it would be a mistake if they didnt.
John McDonough hasn't been making mistakes since taking over as Hawks president, and he's not going to make one with this move.
Foley back to the Hawks. Good move.
Comments
Cool! They just might make a re-fan outta me yet.
"He shoots....he scores!!!!!!" Now if they could just get Tallon back in the booth with Pat, they'd have it made.
Posted by: Y2Jcub | May 6, 2008 08:19 AM
Wolves lead the Icehogs 2-1 in the AHL. Foley's getting acquainted with future Hawks like Crawford.
Posted by: Juan | May 6, 2008 12:26 PM
Could there be a bigger no-brainer?! Another "wrong" by the previous Blackhawk regime will be "corrected" by Rocky Wirtz. Now let's go get D-Man Brian Campbell!
Posted by: Joe | May 6, 2008 12:38 PM
Hand in glove. Come back Pat. Perfect. I had grown to like Dan Kelly, thought he was pretty good. But the B'Hawks need Pat. Get Brian Campbell. Another good fit.
Posted by: Mike Carasotti | May 6, 2008 01:44 PM
Great news about Pat Foley coming back as things are coming back full-circle. Now, let's bring back Chris Chelios and Jeremy Roenick. And, add Adam Foote and Brian Rolston.
But, let Wayne Messmer stay and rot with the Wolves in hillbilly-ville. Messmer left when things were going bad and jumped ship
Posted by: Walter Brzeski | May 6, 2008 02:28 PM
This move will bring everyone back to supporting the BlackHawks. I moved from Chicago to Boston in 1985 - finding out about his release was more devastating to me than any player they ever lost. His voice kept me connected to the best city in the world! Remember the Secord-Savard-Larmer days, the naming of the Clydesdale Line and the awesome BANNERMAN! save calls? Come back Pat!
Posted by: Anonymous | May 6, 2008 03:39 PM
This makes my day!
I can't wait to hear the first time Foley gets to announce an exciting Patrick Kane goal.
That is going to be awesome for all Hawks fans!!
Guess I have to renew my Center Ice package down here in Dallas...
Posted by: Bill S. | May 6, 2008 03:49 PM
Dan Kelly did nothing wrong. But it looks like the new Hawks are trying to do everything right. Keep it up guys!
Posted by: Chitown Hustler | May 6, 2008 04:01 PM
McDonough SCORES!!!!
Posted by: No-Shootout Stan | May 6, 2008 05:09 PM
WELCOME HOME PAT!!!
Posted by: Timothy Schnaedter | May 6, 2008 09:27 PM
It's great to have Pat Foley back! I'll have to get the Center Ice package next year. Rocky, John, go out on a limb and see if you can pry Daryl "Razor: Reaugh from the Dallas Stars announce team. Trust me Blackhawk fans, this would be the best announcing team in pro sports!
Posted by: Dallas Bears fan | May 6, 2008 10:56 PM
Now if they dump some of the jagoff know-it-alls on the teams message board, it will be a classy organization again.
Posted by: cold blades | May 7, 2008 01:08 AM
GO roc-GO!!! HE SHOOTSSSSSSSS HEEEE SCOOOORRRREEEE~!!!!
SPEAKING OF THE SCORE! good-bye Thanks for all the AS$ -licking of a Sh$%^ team! [then- Shj#$$ [ owner get rid of the boulin before this FALL!! keep lalime! YES!!! get chelly & JR!! now that the REAL network is the mix! Goodbye to eddie too!! NO CARES ABOUT YOUR failures! family accomplishments! etc.! -- go back to Jr. hockey!1 maybe they'll CARE!
not ROC! get rid of the DEAD weight! calling Billy Gardner!! if NOT putting dale back in booth!! Dale your GREAT BABY! how bout this? go back to booth ... and let Rocky give you a 'administrtive'.. job too! like the old man did for Pully!!
Posted by: JR | May 7, 2008 08:33 AM
Who cares if Foley is back! Just win some freakin games and go far in the playoffs.
If you need an announcer to make you happy then so be it. I want this team to get better year in year out which they have a chance on doing. An announcer is not going to score goals for this team.
Give me a Brian Campbell and a Corey Perry and that give me a Kerry Woodie.
Posted by: Paul | May 7, 2008 09:34 PM
Not since Lloyd Petit has there been an announcer with so much pride and enthusiasm for the Blackhawks as Pat Foley !!! SIMPLE BRING PAT BACK !!!
Posted by: Jack Hannigan | May 8, 2008 07:05 AM
What if Pat stays with the Wolves? I only hope.
Posted by: Tom | May 8, 2008 01:29 PM
Jack, Pride and Enthusiasm does not score goals for you. It sounds like all Hawks fans want is a good announcer? How about a winning team for a change and one that is going to dominate for years.
It amazes me how stupid Chicago fans are. It is almost embrassing to tell people from Chicago and brag to them about our announcers and not our teams records.
Posted by: Paul | May 8, 2008 04:33 PM
Rocky has done everthing right so far.Go out and give him an offer he cannot refuse.Thanks again Rocky for all you have done for us fans.Can't wait till Oct.
Posted by: David Repya | May 11, 2008 09:40 AM
bring Pat Foley back... the teams is on the rise and what better wat to start a great season by having foley home where he belongs... does anyone know where i can hear/view some old pat foley calls? BANNERMAN... BIG SAVE BY BELFOUR... HE SHOOTS HE SCORES!!! man those were the good ole days...
Posted by: Orlando | May 12, 2008 01:44 AM
Dan Kelly is the epitome of hockey play-by-play. To let him go was a huge mistake! Pat Foley is a 25-year Hawk veteran announcer but Dan Kelly runs rings around him. What a mistake by the Blackhawks. Everything was going good with the renaissance until this big letdown. And Ed Olczyk's commentary was always timely and informing. A terrific tandem in the press box. Pat Foley's signature on Blackhawks games is hard to forget, but he is not nearly as talented in describing the action as Dan Kelly, who in the short time he was with the Hawks, made their telecasts second to none with excitement and energy. Dan Kelly's voice is symbolic of NHL hockey - it's within his geneology. His dad called network NHL telecasts back in the 70s and early 80s and was the perennial voice of the St. Louis Blues.
Posted by: Pay by play | May 15, 2008 10:24 PM
for all of you folks who are implying that Hawks' fans are stupid for caring about the announcer, you got it all wrong.
these fans are going to be Hawks' fans regardless; we've been through some really sh*tty years. we KNOW we are gonna watch the games... it may as well be with our own legend in the making, a guy who brings enthusiasm to the presentation of Blackhawk hockey.
and i didn't catch it; is he gonna be on the radio? i love doing a roadtrip somewhere and catching the Hawks & Pat on the radio in the middle of nowhere, hundreds of miles away from Chicago. this is great news.
Posted by: algonquinmatt | May 16, 2008 04:19 PM