Jeremy Roenick Calls It A Career

Without question as a die-hard hockey fan this has been the toughest summer that I have ever had to endure. Over the past several months I was forced to accept the ugly fact that due to age my favorite players in Markus Naslund and Joe Sakic made that gut wrenching decision to call it a career. Being a die hard Sakicfan I was just coming to terms with the fact that this 625 goal scorer play again when on Tuesday I was blind sided by another shocking announcement. Besides for being a Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks fan I also follow the Chicago Blackhawks and when I was young was a huge Jeremy Roenick fan. This two-time 50 goal scorer, who is the 36^th  highest all time goal scorer with 513 has sadly decided after a 20 year standout career to call it quits. This 39 year-old, who was drafted eighth overall by the Blackhawks back in 1988 never won the Stanley Cup but did play a pivotal role in helping the United States win an Olympic Silver Medal at the 2002 Games. During his time with the Hawks, which started in 1988 and lasted until 1995/96, Roenick or J.R. as he was affectionately known as was a huge fan favorite. Starting in 1991/92 when he was in his prime Roenick produced three consecutive seasons of 100 or more points. During that magical ’92 campaign J.R. came alive in the post- season with 22 points in leading the Hawks to the Stanley Cup finals where they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins. As a fan what I really liked about Roenick was his strong personality. Unlike players such as Sidney Crosby or even Mario Lemieux Mr. Roenick was never one to just spit out clichés. Roenick would speak his mind even if it might cause some controversy. On August 16, 1996 Roenick’s tenure with Chicago came to an abrupt end when he was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes where he would star for five seasons. His best season in the dessert came in 1999/2000 when he scored 78 points, which was followed up by a respectable 76 the following season.  In summer of 2001 an enthusiastic Roenick signed with the Philadelphia Flyers where he spent three years. Toronto Maple Leaf fans will best remember him during that time for scoring the overtime winning goal in 2003/04 to eliminate Toronto.

Following stops with the Los Angeles Kings and a second tenure with the Coyotes Roenick was presented with his last legitimate opportunity at a Stanley Cup when he signed as an Unrestricted Free Agent on September 7, 2007. Over the past couple of seasons San Jose who won the Presidents Trophy with 117 points last season were heavy favorites to win the Cup but couldn’t do it during Roenick’s tenure. This boarder line hall of famer who will be making his retirement official on Thursday finished his career with 703 assists and 1,216 points to rank 39^th all time. Roenick who was chosen to play in nine all- star games in his career has not revealed if he would stay in the game. Only time will tell but he should be elected into the U.S.A. Hockey Hall Of Fame.