More on Roenick
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by user Pbcoyotes
When athletes arrive in professional sports they usually have one dream in mind - winning a championship. The story starts young where they might play in an organized league, or they might play in the backyard rinks with friends, but the dream is the same: winning game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals as their favorite player.
Some have been fortunate enough to realize their championship aspirations, and some have not. Others have racked up impressive numbers to set records, and some fall short. However, if both scenarios do not materialize, the career still has value.
In 1988 Jeremy Roenick was selected in the first round by the Chicago Blackhawks, eighth overall. Yesterday, the Boston, Massachusetts native sent a text message to the Philadelphia Inquirer, and stated that he is retiring. The speculation started in December and continued late in to the season last year, and now it is official - he is leaving.
For U.S. born players, his numbers speak volumes: 3rd in goals with 495, 5th in assists with 675, and 3rd in points with 1170. He is a nine time NHL all star and was selected to two U.S. Olympic hockey teams in 1998, and 2002, winning the silver medal with the late Herb Brooks in 2002. He has made 16 playoff appearances with the Chicago Blackhawks, the Phoenix Coyotes, and the Philadelphia Flyers during his 18 year career; his last appearance with the Flyers he faced the Tampa Bay Lightning when the Lightning won the Stanley Cup. That series between the Flyers and Lightning was a classic one, surpassed only by the seven game series with the Flames.
There is no doubt he was a great player on the ice. He spoke his mind, for better or for worse, off of it; where some would call it arrogance, and others would say that he cared about the game too much. No one can fault the passion he brought to the game of hockey.
I still see Coyotes jerseys (with the old design) around with the number 97. He had fans here. I'm sure there are equal number of those who watched hockey because of players like him, Mike Modano, and Chris Chelios. I'm also sure he had plenty of critics.
One cannot deny the impact he made with the teams he played for and as new stars take the place of those leaving the game behind, there might be a young fan who plays the Stanley Cup Finals as Jeremy Roenick.
Waiting for Stanley has a collection of the YouTube videos that have been collected during Roenick's tenure in the NHL. Plus, here are two more
Jeremy Roenick will still have a presence in the Valley as he started a business venture in Scottsdale, Arizona. If you'd like, you can check it out here.
