Jeremy Roenick: America's Best Hockey Player Ever?

The San Jose Sharks have scheduled a news conference at 11:00 AM PST today, during which, it is expected that Jeremy Roenick will announce his retirement from hockey.

Roenick, who had been a member of the Sharks for two seasons, had a tremendous career, highlighted by his three consecutive 100-plus point seasons in 1991-92, 1992-93, and 1993-94 respectively.

Roenick has career totals of 513 goals, 703 assists, good enough for 1,216 points. He notched another 53 goals and 69 assists in the playoffs, playing a total of 154 games.

Sadly, Roenick was never able to win a Stanley Cup. This omission is the only flaw on an otherwise stellar career, one that ranks right up there with the NHL’s best. Roenick was a career plus/minus 153 in the regular season and a plus/minus of 21 in the playoffs. Combine those stats with his career scoring totals and you have what I believe is the makings of an NHL Hall-of-Famer.

So, with that being said, where do you rank Jeremy Roenick? Is he the best American born hockey player ever?

Roenick’s back-to-back 107 point seasons as a member of the Chicago Blackhawk’s in 1992-93 and 1993-94 is an impressive feat, but his 107 points pales in comparison to his American counterparts Pat Lafontaine’s single season record 148 points. Comparatively, American Kevin Stevens scored a total of 123 points in 1991-92 and 111 points in 1992-93 as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Roenick does own three of the top 12 single season scoring records for American born players. His two 107 point seasons rank him sixth and seventh all-time amongst Americans, while his 103 point effort in 1991-92 was good enough for 12th overall.

At the other end of the ice, defenseman Brian Leetch, arguably one of the 10 best defensemen to ever play the game, owns the record for the most points scored by an American born defenseman in a single season with 102.

Leetch, who spent most of his career as a member of the New York Rangers, won a Stanley Cup and owns six of the top 15 all-time single season point totals by an American born defenseman, including the first, fourth, and sixth spots respectively.

In goal, the American born Tom Barrasso holds the record for most wins in a single season by an American born goaltender with 43 as a member of the 1992-93 Penguins.

Barrasso had a career record of 369 wins and 277 loses over 18 seasons, winning two Stanley Cups along the way. Barasso’s 369 wins puts him ahead of Rangers' goaltender Mike Richter, but slightly behind fellow American John Vanbiesbrouck, had had 374 career victories between the pipes.

So, who gets the nod as the best American born player to ever lace up the skates in the NHL?

Sorry Roenick, I have to give the nod to New York Rangers' defenseman Brian Leetch.

Leetch, who, as a defenseman, played in what I believe to be the toughest position in hockey, was a model of consistency throughout his entire career. He was a two-time Norris Trophy winner as the NHL’s best defenseman, is one of only five defensemen to score 100 points in a season and was the NHL’s Rookie of the Year.

Add to the mix Leetch’s Stanley Cup, his 2009 induction into the NHL’s Hall-of-Fame, his contribution to his country as a member of the United States Olympic team, and his exemplary behavior on and off of the ice, Leetch is America’s best.

NOTE

Brett Hull may seem like the most likely candidate to be America’s best NHL player of all-time. It should be noted that Hull was in fact born in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. Sure, Hull played as a member of team USA, but he was not born in the States and is listed as a Canadian by NHL.com.

Here is my top 10 list:

1. Brian Leetch (D)- See above
2. Pat Lafontaine (F)- 1,013 points in just 865 games
3. Mike Modano (F)- All-time scoring leader (USA)
4. Phil Housley (D)- Second all-time in scoring (USA)
5. Chris Chelios (D)- 1,644 career games
6. Jeremy Roenick (F)- 1,363 games, third in scoring (USA)
7. John Vanbiesbrouck (G)- 50, 475:00 TOI, career 2.98 GAA, 40 SO, 374 wins
8. Joe Mullen (F)- 1,063 career points—third overall (USA)
9. Keith Tkachuk- 525 goals scored—second overall (USA)
10. John Leclair (F)- Plus/Minus 204—tops amongst USA forwards

Disagree? That’s why they have chocolate and vanilla...let me have it in the comment box!

Until next time,

Peace!