Fox Sports Net, WSCR Radio, and the Chicago Blackhawks jointly announced today Dale Tallon will rejoin Pat Foley in the broadcast booth for the upcoming 2002-03 Chicago Blackhawks hockey season.
"We're thrilled to have a long-time fan favorite like Dale back on our Blackhawk telecasts," said James J. Corno, Senior Vice President/General Manager for Fox Sports Net Chicago. "Teaming Dale up with Pat again was a natural decision for us due to their years of outstanding work together, their strong popularity with the fans, and undisputed on-camera camaraderie. We're confident viewers will welcome Dale back to the Blackhawks broadcast booth."
"It will be great to re-team what was one of the best broadcast tandems in the NHL for many years in Pat Foley and Dale Tallon," said Rod Zimmerman, Vice President/General Manager of WSCR Radio. "Dale's familiarity with the players and his great history with Pat will be a bonus for the Score's listeners."
"Dale's extensive knowledge of young players around the league will be an asset to our broadcast," said Blackhawks Vice President Peter R. Wirtz. "His insightful knowledge of the game of hockey will add a special element to our broadcast team. Reuniting Dale with Pat will bring back a special chemistry to our broadcast team. In addition to his hockey knowledge, Dale's quick wit and sense of humor will make for a more entertaining broadcast for our fans."
Tallon, who played for the Blackhawks from 1973-78, had spent 16 seasons in the Blackhawks broadcast booth before taking on the position of Player Personnel Director for the team in 1998-99. In that role, Tallon has become very familiar with the young talent in the Chicago Blackhawks organization. Players such as Kyle Calder and Mark Bell who are currently with the team, as well as future Blackhawks the likes of Mikhail Yakoubov, Tuomo Ruutu, Pavel Vorobiev, and Tyler Arnason are familiar faces to Tallon. Dale will be able to add insight not only to what is happening on the ice, but also to the many young players coming into the league with the Blackhawks as well as with other NHL teams.
"This was the toughest decision I've ever had to make," said Dale Tallon. "I loved what I was doing in seeking out young talent to help improve the Blackhawks. This all came up at a moment's notice. I was approached by the Blackhawks about a week ago with the opportunity of coming back into the broadcast booth. After thinking about it, being able to spend more time with my family made the decision easy for me."
Tallon will participate at the draft table for the Blackhawks in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft in Toronto on June 22nd and 23rd.