The Voice of the NHL Takes a Bow

Upon saying goodbye to the game of hockey on Thursday Jeremy Roenick gave special praise to his former roommate with the Chicago Blackhawks and current GM of the San Jose Sharks Doug Wilson who a couple of years ago took a chance on an aging player who still wanted to play. “Sometimes friends come and save you,” Roenick who is only one of four Americans to ever hit the 500- goal plateau in his career (513) said. “Just when I thought that it was all over, Doug Wilson asked me to fly to San Jose (two years ago) and talk about playing for the Sharks. He asked me if I could still play the game and I told him I know I could still play.” Roenick who has never met a microphone he hasn’t liked was his usual chatty self during his retirement press conference. J.R. as he is affectionately known as was drafted by Chicago eight overall in 1988 and instantly became a fan favorite. In his first full season during the 1989/90 season this emerging power forward impressed with 66 points in 78 games. In total Roenick accumulated 1,216 career points and played in 1,316 games with the Hawks, Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings and Sharks. The closest J.R. came to winning a Stanley Cup was in 1991 when he played for the President Trophy winning Blackhawks who lost in the Stanley Cup finals that spring to the young and upcoming Pittsburgh Penguins. Losing that series is something that the 39 year-old still thinks about to this day. “I haven’t won a Stanley Cup and that will haunt me for a long time,” he said. “Otherwise I have no regrets; nothing I’ve done, nothing I’ve said.” Interestingly enough Roenick who played a big role in helping the USA win a silver during the 2002 Olympics relayed an interesting story about why he has always made a point of walking that extra mile to make fans feel extra special. In this recollection J.R. talked about how when he was a kid in New England he often got the opportunity to watch the Hartford Whalers workout. One time while watching as a seven year-old he had a memorable experience with Mr. hockey Gordie Howe that taught him the value of having that contact with fans. “I’d lean my head over the glass and watch these guys,” Roenick said. “Once, when I was seven years old, Gordie Howe got a bunch of snow on his stick, skated over and dumped it on my head. I thought that was the coolest thing and I’ve always carried that with me. He skated around a little more, then looked at me and winked. For three seconds it was just me and Gordie Howe. It was a gift to me and when I reached the NHL, I made sure to acknowledge the fans.” Even though Roenick is a nine time All-Star and is only one of 24 players with 500 career goals and 700 assists being elected into the Hockey Hall Of Fame will not be a slam dunk. During the playoffs Roenick often found the spotlight as he scored 53 goals and 69 assists in 154 games. On Thursday he told some humorous stories and shed the expected tears that come from an athlete realizing that they won’t be able to do what they love for a living anymore. In summarizing his career Roenick had some special words for Wilson who still to this day have a close relationship. “In Phoenix, I wasn’t able to say goodbye to the game,” Roenick recalled. “Doug Wilson and the San Jose Sharks gave me my life back. I can sit here and make my own decision to hang them up and move on.” One of the lasting images hockey fans especially in San Jose will have of Roenick is him scoring his 500^th career goal at home and later on hoisting his son Brett on his shoulders and skating around the ice with him. To show how respected Roenick is various current players such as Mike Modano, Chris Chelios and Keith Tkachuk called in during the press conference which was being held in San Jose to wish their congratulations on a great career.