Pat Foley (born on December 23, 1954 in Glenview, Illinois) is the Hockey Hall of Fame television play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Broadcasting Career[]
Patgraduated from Loyola Academy and received a degree in telecommunications from Michigan State University. He joined the Blackhawks' broadcasting crew when he was 26 years old after calling games for the now-defunct Grand Rapids Owls of the International Hockey League (IHL) and he quickly became recognized as the "Voice of the Blackhawks." From 1995 to 1998, he called NHL games on Fox.
He was also the announcer in Midway's arcade game 2 on 2 Open Ice Challenge.
In May of 2006, the Blackhawks organization made the controversial decision to withdraw their contract offer to the popular Pat, citing unspecified "personal" reasons. The team also ended their simulcasts, replacing him on radio with former New York Islanders broadcaster John Wiedeman and on television with former Columbus Blue Jackets voice, Dan Kelly, Jr..
On September 12, 2006, the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League named Pat their cable television play-by-play announcer for the 2006–07 season. The broadcasts were also simulcast over the internet and on a radio station available only in the arena. He teamed with Bill Gardner, who was once his partner on Blackhawks broadcasts.
On June 16, 2008, the Blackhawks announced Pat's return as their television play-by-play announcer. He is usually joined in the booth by color commentator Steve Konroyd and rinkside reporter Darren Pang.
Pat recorded a recreated call of Patrick Kane's Stanley Cup-winning overtime goal, which was played at the celebration of the Blackhawks' first Cup win in 49 years.
On December 30, 2010, it was announced that Pat and Pang signed a three-year extension to stay with the Blackhawks.
On June 5, 2014, Pat was selected as the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award winner for hockey broadcasting by the Hockey Hall of Fame.