Watch: NHL Hall of Famer Strikes Gold in Equestrian Pursuit, Raking in Over $62,000

Eddie Olczyk, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, is a household name among sports fans. He has played for 16 years in the NHL, but has a penchant for the equine sports as well. Recently at the Hawthrone Invitational, the 1994 Stanley Cup champion with the New York Rangers demonstrated his betting skills in the equestrian world. One of the most difficult handicapping events in the United States, the Hawthorne Invitational, is hosted by The Daily Racing Form and features some of the best riders in the country. The fact that Olcyzk gambled on the underdog, Command Central, and won with the 5-year-old stallion makes the entire thing all the more intriguing.

It’s safe to say that Eddie Olczyk took a big risk, but he doesn’t regret it. Video of the race and Olczyk’s ecstatic response to his stallion’s easy victory spread like wildfire across many social media sites.

Making some spare changes in equestrian post-retirement

The Hall of Famer amassed a wealth of $6,523,440 during his career as an NHL player. By today’s sum it would equal $12,998,587, making him one of the highest-paid former NHL players. Betting on horses is a risky business, even for wealthy individuals like Olczyk, and the Hall of Famer was aware of this. Despite the dangers, he traveled to the Hawthorne Invitational to wager on Command Central, a 5-year-old stallion with odds of 80-1. The horse, however, was someone who didn’t let the NHL icon down – it not only won the race but also totally crushed the competition. Olczyk’s bank account grew by $52,921.10 as a result of this victory. More than $60,000 arrived in the NHL legend’s wallet thanks to the additional reward of $10,000.

ALSO READ – “His Story Exemplifies One of Life’s Great Lessons”: Wayne Gretzky Turned Co-producer for a Biopic on Legendary Golf Player and His Father’s Close Friend in 2021

The video, first posted on Twitter, depicts Olczyk’s jubilation when Command Central easily defeated the competition. The Hall of Famer stood up and began applauding as the stallion gained the lead, and he just repeated, “Yes sir,” over and over again after the horse crossed the finish line. The NHL icon, who is reveling in his retirement, scored a huge victory, and the Hawthrone Race Course tweeted about it.

The sum is rather small, but it has significant meaning for the NHL icon since it is just a few dollars shy of what he made in his debut season in the league, back in 1984.

The Hall of Famer’s stellar NHL career

Eddie Olczyk, then 18 years old, was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the inaugural year’s draft and signed a $75,000 contract. He began his legendary career in the NHL as a Right Winger (RW), and then in 1987–88, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He was traded to the Winnipeg Jets in the 1990–91 season, the first of many trades he would make over the course of several years. In the 1998–1999 season, Olczyk returned to the Chicago Blackhawks, and the following year, he retired from the NHL with dignity. The right winger piled up 794 points during 1,031 games played in the NHL: 342 goals scored, 452 assists, and a total NHL wealth of $6,523,440.

WATCH THIS STORY – Days After Kentucky Derby Incident, Equestrian Community Mourns Another Loss