NEWSLETTER
Most of today’s bullets will be a walk down memory lane as we prepare to listen to Pat Foley’s final call tonight, but let’s get some news out of the way first.
• The Blackhawks were off on Wednesday, but that didn’t stop them from making a roster move for the future. The club announced that they reached an agreement with forward Reese Johnson on a two-year contract extension that will keep Johnson in Chicago through the 2023-24 season at an AAV of $800,000.
The Blackhawks have signed Reese Johnson to a two-year extension.
“Reese’s work ethic and competitiveness are characteristics we’re always looking for in players we have in our system,” said GM Kyle Davidson. https://t.co/D7VVwbqUGt
— Patrick K. Flowers (@PatrickKFlowers) April 13, 2022
• Johnson, 23, has six points (one goal, five assists) in 28 games with the Blackhawks this season. Johnson’s new deal will come with an $800,000 cap hit. ohnson’s 23.30 hits per 60 minutes this season rank second in the NHL (20GP minimum).
• Here’s what Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson said about the signing in a press release Wednesday afternoon: “Reese’s work ethic and competitiveness are characteristics we’re always looking for in players we have in our system,” said General Manager Kyle Davidson. “He is difficult to play against and brings a hard-nosed mentality to each game. Possessing those attributes makes us excited to be able to keep him in the fold of our organization.”
More Reese 🍬 pic.twitter.com/GUyVhLi1Ta
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 13, 2022
• Johnson’s extension creates a fourth line next season for the Blackhawks that will likely feature Johnson, Boris Katchouk, and MacKenzie Entwistle. These three have been together the past couple of games and have been the best line on the ice. This is a solid fourth line on a rebuilding team with plenty of potential to grow.
• The Blackhawks are back in action tonight, when the San Jose Sharks come to town for a 7:30 puck drop at the United Center. Tonight will be the final game in the illustrious career of the legendary Pat Foley. Pat Foley has been partnered with Eddie Olczyk in the Blackhawks TV booth since 2008, and he served as the Blackhawks radio play-by-play man from 1981 to 2006 before joining the TV broadcast.
Last call for a legend tonight. #FoleysFarewell pic.twitter.com/ZEWFxPeS9a
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 14, 2022
• While it’s challenging to imagine anyone other than Foley as the soundtrack to the Chicago Blackhawks, Foley himself is sure that Blackhawks fans are in good hands with his heir apparent: “I know it’s going to be a dream for you; it’s been a dream for me too. Folks, Blackhawks broadcasting, is in good hands.”
• Pat Foley has been the soundtrack to Blackhawks hockey for nearly 40 years between his time in the radio and television booths in Chicago, so in a season in which we’ve used the term “end of an era,” a bunch, this is indeed the end of an era. So, we will dedicate today’s bullets to the legend himself.
• If you haven’t checked out Jay Zawaski’s letter to Foley, you’ll want to do that before tonight’s game:
Tonight is Pat Foley's final game as the voice of the #Blackhawks. He is the soundtrack of my fandom and it will never be the same. Read my love letter to Foley, my broadcast hero, on https://t.co/4aG0OtRv49. https://t.co/TfKo9d1Iun
— Jay Zawaski (@jayzawaski) April 14, 2022
• Vintage Hawks brings us, Pat Foley, calling Ed Belfour’s first NHL game against the Detroit Red Wings back when the Chicago-Detroit rivalry mattered:
Ed Belfour’s first NHL game, #Blackhawks blow 3-0 lead late in the game and lose to Detroit.#PatFoley #FoleysFarewell pic.twitter.com/4zWOBvG3An
— Vintage Hawks (@VintageHawks) April 14, 2022
• From March 1987 – Foley calls a 6-3 victory over Toronto, including a spin-o-rama goal and a hat trick for Denis Savard. You’ll also hear some familiar names in Blackhawks history like Al Secord, Steve Larmer, and Troy Murray:
March 18, 1987 | #Blackhawks beat Maple Leafs 6-3, Savard spin-o-rama and a hat trick#PatFoley pic.twitter.com/hJT2ets4o0
— Vintage Hawks (@VintageHawks) April 13, 2022
• A 7-1 blowout of the Red Wings at the old Chicago Stadium in April of 1989:
April 13, 1989 | #Blackhawks blow out the Red Wings 7-1 in Game 6 at Chicago Stadium to eliminate Detroit and advance to the Norris Division finals.
pic.twitter.com/PBMW6bvRDH— Vintage Hawks (@VintageHawks) April 13, 2022
• Patrick Kane’s 2013 spin-o-rama call:
https://twitter.com/ChiSportsDay/status/1504123769354264582?s=20&t=GMIEo5gB_xZTz6E6mef6bg
• The St. Patrick’s Day Massacre between the Blackhawks and the Blues at Chicago Stadium in 1991:
March 17, 1991 | 3️⃣1️⃣ years ago today…
The St. Patrick’s Day Massacre at Chicago Stadium. #Blackhawks #Blues pic.twitter.com/MAy5lzXpzu
— Vintage Hawks (@VintageHawks) March 17, 2022
• And of course, “BANNERMAN!!!!”
What’s your all-time favorite Pat Foley call? pic.twitter.com/hRc4kR8HkQ
— Michael Piff (@Mike_PiFF03) April 14, 2022
• I’ll leave you with this compilation of some of Pat Foley’s greatest calls:
