Jeremy Roenick has always been one of those polarizing hockey players. He has his lovers, and he has his haters. His haters may even outnumber his lovers. For this reason, Roenick's retirement announcement last year was heavily overlooked.
Roenick was a hothead, there's no doubt about that. But as a player and as an ambassador to the sport, Roenick was wildly successful in both regards. I believe he'll end up a Hall of Famer once eligible.
Back in the 90s, Jeremy Roenick was a top scorer in the NHL. Three times he topped 100 points in a season during his career, he was selected as an All Star 9 times, played in the Olympics twice, and is the third highest American goal and point scorer in NHL history.
Roenick's detractors will point to a lack of a Stanley Cup championship as an indictment of his 20-year NHL career, but we all know great players in every team sport who've suffered the same fate. Ascribing weakness to him, ostensibly because he liked to enjoy his life and wouldn't fully submit to the whims of overbearing coaches, is to forget exactly how very tough of a mother J.R. actually was on the ice.
Let's remember some of the moments that make Roenick stand out. Like the 2007 series against Phoenix where he played through a broken jaw. Then there was the 2004 game against Toronto where he rebounded from a devastating check and played through the game. Roenick was consistently there for his team when it needed him.
Just two seasons ago, the hockey world had written Roenick off as a washed up player who should retire. The Sharks were adventurous enough to give him a chance, and Roenick came through for his team, leading the way with 10 game-winning goals that season.
Sticking it out that long took tons of guts. But what really separates J.R. from the rest - at least, for me - is his unparalleled courage in taking on the giants of the game in an effort to improve the sport. When it came to being not only an ambassador, but a fierce advocate for hockey, there simply was no player better suited for the role than Roenick.
His heart always was there on his sleeve for all to see - and he didn't care in the slightest if its public pumping irked those at the highest levels of the game. As long as he was speaking his mind to keep hockey in the spotlight and expand its popularity, he was as prepared to rip former NHL Players' Association czar Bob Goodenow as he was to blast commissioner Gary Bettman.
Congratulations on a wonderful career, Jeremy Roenick. Good luck to you in your retirement.
Roenick was a hothead, there's no doubt about that. But as a player and as an ambassador to the sport, Roenick was wildly successful in both regards. I believe he'll end up a Hall of Famer once eligible.
Back in the 90s, Jeremy Roenick was a top scorer in the NHL. Three times he topped 100 points in a season during his career, he was selected as an All Star 9 times, played in the Olympics twice, and is the third highest American goal and point scorer in NHL history.
Roenick's detractors will point to a lack of a Stanley Cup championship as an indictment of his 20-year NHL career, but we all know great players in every team sport who've suffered the same fate. Ascribing weakness to him, ostensibly because he liked to enjoy his life and wouldn't fully submit to the whims of overbearing coaches, is to forget exactly how very tough of a mother J.R. actually was on the ice.
Let's remember some of the moments that make Roenick stand out. Like the 2007 series against Phoenix where he played through a broken jaw. Then there was the 2004 game against Toronto where he rebounded from a devastating check and played through the game. Roenick was consistently there for his team when it needed him.
Just two seasons ago, the hockey world had written Roenick off as a washed up player who should retire. The Sharks were adventurous enough to give him a chance, and Roenick came through for his team, leading the way with 10 game-winning goals that season.
Sticking it out that long took tons of guts. But what really separates J.R. from the rest - at least, for me - is his unparalleled courage in taking on the giants of the game in an effort to improve the sport. When it came to being not only an ambassador, but a fierce advocate for hockey, there simply was no player better suited for the role than Roenick.
His heart always was there on his sleeve for all to see - and he didn't care in the slightest if its public pumping irked those at the highest levels of the game. As long as he was speaking his mind to keep hockey in the spotlight and expand its popularity, he was as prepared to rip former NHL Players' Association czar Bob Goodenow as he was to blast commissioner Gary Bettman.
Congratulations on a wonderful career, Jeremy Roenick. Good luck to you in your retirement.
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