If you haven’t heard, the word out on the street is Jeremy Roenick is set to retire. A few Flyers fanatics would still love this heart and soul, former American hockey legend to strap it up for the orange and black once more, but he has made it clear on many occasions that the Sharks would be his final team.
The news of course comes out of the Bay Area Comcast Sports Net over in California by way of an article that also lists the numerous accomplishments he had over his NHL career including being the 40th person ever to score 500 career goals (3rd American).
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Comcast SportsNet Bay Area has learned exclusively through multiple league sources that San Jose Sharks center Jeremy Roenick will announce his retirement from the National Hockey League after a 20-year career this Thursday. The Sharks have scheduled a press conference on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. PST, at which time Roenick is expected to announce his retirement.
One of the most unfortunate things is that such a great guy and class act will obviously never win a Stanley Cup. The closest he came was in the Flyers 2003-04 legendary playoff run when the Flyers were eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals, and his trip to the Finals with the Blackhawks of course in 1992 where they were swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
A much more in depth article for the Philadelphia area Comcast Sports Net has former Flyers’ coach Ken Hitchcock recalling the moments with Roenick including the future hall-of-famer’s reaction to the game seven loss.
This reporter will always remember J.R. after the Flyers lost Game 7 of the 2004 Eastern Conference Final to Tampa Bay. Roenick exited the visitor’s dressing room and cried at having come so close to getting back to the Stanley Cup Final.
“It hurts so much,” he sobbed.
It was the last game Roenick played as a Flyer.
“That Flyers team was as good as any team him and I were ever on,” Hitchcock said. “There were no holes. There was great character. The only thing we couldn’t afford to do that series was lose all those players [to injury] and we did. Every player I talk to, to this day, knew how good that Flyer team was.
“I think J.R. knew it was a special group, too. To lose like that, running out of players, was devastating to everybody. We were playing unbelievable hockey and it all unraveled with losing all those defensemen to injury. J.R. knew how good that team was.”
The lockout began that summer and there was no hockey in 2004-05. Roenick was traded the summer the lockout ended to clear cap space for the signing of Peter Forsberg in free agency.
Both Snider and then general manager Bob Clarke said it was one of the hardest trades to make because Roenick was such a part of the fabric that made the Flyers what they were.
Not everyone here in Philadelphia will remember the best of Jeremy Roenick, but he was definitely one of the favorites on the Flyers’ roster when he was here. His 100+ point seasons were long in the past, but as a hockey fan I can say that the NHL is losing one of its best this week.
On a lighter note he does walk away from his NHL career with some other impressive stats. Based on the game NHLPA Hockey ’93 Roenick became one of the icons of gaming in the early 90′s. If you don’t believe me then check this out. Roenick is going out as the fourth most dominant player in a sports game in gaming history. In fact he was only beat out by Michael Vick of Madden ’04, Bo Jackson of Techmo Bowl, and Mike Tyson of Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out.
Here’s where the going gets tough amongst the top slots. Roenick and his ability to make heads bleed was immortalized in Swingers, but he really is the most talented player in any version of EA’s classic hockey series because he can do anything. Not only can he knock down anyone with the slightest bit of momentum, but Roenick scores from anywhere inside the zone. He’s the anti-Shawn Chambers.
If you don’t believe me go ahead and watch this video:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03JgYUDtHkE
Just to make sure I’ve made myself very clear about how much this guy will be missed I’ve compiled some of the Best of #97. Enjoy.
Jeremy Roenick’s game 7 OT winner in the 2003-04 Stanley Cup Playoffs to send the Flyers to the Eastern Conference Finals.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9J9BSZYXd0
Roenick likes to sing. Doesn’t everyone?
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WYPm9SfVBs
Roenick’s top 10 Memorable Soundbites
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKXZklI35s4
After he left Philadelphia he still entertained the crowd with dancing.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq4zpFevcUw
Roenick’s 500th NHL goal.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SerXwoB3xTI
Roenick ends his 20 year NHL career as one of the best American-born players ever to play the game of hockey. In 1363 games he scored 513 goals and added 703 assists for a grand total of 1216 points. In 154 playoff games he added another 53 goals and 69 assists for 122 points. The soon to be hall-of-famer played three seasons with the Flyers racking up 67 goals and 106 assists for 173 points. As I said before, I can think of no other player right now who deserves the Stanley Cup more than Jeremy Roenick. It would’ve been nice if he had won it in 2003-04 with us, but sometimes things just don’t work out. I wish #97 the very best of luck, and I hope to see him in broadcasting some day soon.
