Watch Eddie Olczyk go wild after hitting 80-1 long-shot in a horse racing handicapper tournament to win $62K

The next time you see Eddie Olczyk on NBC breaking down the Kentucky Derby or Preakness Stakes, don’t think for a second he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

While mostly known for an NHL career that produced a 1994 Stanley Cup and a legendary career both on and off of the ice with his hometown Chicago Blackhawks, Olczyk is a well-known horse racing fanatic who dabbles in handicapping.

Ok, he does more than just dabble. Last weekend he competed in the Hawthorne Invitational, where some of the best handicappers in the sport go head-to-head for more than $50,000 in prizes.

Olczyk won the whole thing — including $62,000 — thanks to an epic wager on 80-1 long-shot Command Central in the seventh race at Hawthorne Race Track on Sunday.

Video of Olczyk shows him getting more animated than any goal he called this season during his NHL broadcasting duties — though those shots never won him the type of money this race did.

Warning: NSFW Language 

When you're right about your horse… Congrats Edzo and all of the top finishers. Thanks to everyone for playing and watching the Hawthorne Invitational! @EJXD2 @EmilyOptixEQ @HawthorneJim pic.twitter.com/tsgNLL5gEV

— Hawthorne Race Course (@ClubHawthorne) June 26, 2023

That’s Eddie Olczyk rooting home a 80-1 @ClubHawthorne to win the Invitational. $52k cash plus $10k prize. Well done #edzo! pic.twitter.com/Hq4RAFfl7v

— Ed DeRosa (@EJXD2) June 25, 2023

For context: Olczyk’s rookie contract earned him $75,000 for his first year in the NHL. He nearly earned that much in a few hours. Not bad for a Sunday at the track. Not bad at all.