Chicago Blackhawks Jeremy Roenick's impact on Hockey in the USA, and what inspired him
Jeremy Roenick has solidified his name in the memory of Blackhawks fans everywhere. Roenick spent the first eight years of his NHL career in Chicago playing 524 games with the Hawks.
Roenick will be finally inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, with a game on Friday night to start the weekend. Following the game on Monday, we will see Roenick inducted into the Hall of Fame in Toronto.
Roenick's career in the NHL started in 1988 as the 8th overall pick and would start his professional career during the 1988-1989 season.
Unlike Connor Bedard, he'd finish third in Calder Trophy voting, scoring 26 goals in 78 games for the Hawks.
Roenick appeared in 524 games for the Blackhawks before he was traded, a dark day for Blackhawks fans. During his run in Chicago, Roenick had three consecutive seasons with at least 103 points: 103 in 1991-92, 107 in 1992-93 and 107 again in 1993-94. He scored at least 40 goals in four consecutive seasons, including seasons with 53 ('91-92) and 50 ('92-93). He represented the Blackhawks in four NHL All-Star Games as well.
Roenick would hold a press conference when he donated precious items from his own collection to the Blackhawk Hall of Fame and mentioned what inspired him as a kid to become a hockey player.
«Doug Wilson, number one was my first roommate when I got here to Chicago was a huge influence of mine in what you'll see at the Hall of Fame,» Roenick said. «It goes beyond that. Denis Savard was a huge part of the start of my career. Steve Larmer and Michel Goulet, who I played with. I would not have become the player that I was if I didn't have two hall of fame linemates like them. I mean, Steve Larmer should be in the Hall of Fame. There's no question about that in my mind. And then it moves on to cell, right? [Chelios] is my hero. Captain USA is one of the, probably the most passionate and guy that loved hockey more than anybody I've ever seen. Tony Amonte was my guy, but when I first got here, those Keith Brown, Denis Savard, these guys were very, very important to me.
Marc Bergevin�s the first guy that ever fought for me as a young kid. I mean, these are things that you remember. I was so little. Somebody touched me. Marc Bergevin dropped the gloves and pounded somebody on St. Louis for getting in my face. Those things you remember and they teach you because the I have to teach in next group. But those are the guys that really were probably my biggest influences.»
Even in 2010, the Hawks were special to Roenick as he'd lend an emotional speech after the team won the Stanley Cup.
Roenick's capabilities as a player on ice helped thrust USA Hockey into the spotlight during his international play. JR credits the team who defeated the Soviets in at Lake Placid in 1980.
He credits Mike Eurizone, and the squad for inspiring his generation of players who propelled Team USA hockey into greater heights in the 90s.
«Our generation created a dynasty,» Roenick said. «There is no question we became a world power because of the generation I played in. But that was spurred on by the 1980 Olympic team. Obviously what happened in 1980, which was the biggest upset in sports history, that team and what they did propelled guys like myself, [Chris] Chelios, Brian Leetch, [Mike] Modano and [John] LeClair, I can go on and on. And then 1996, winning the World Cup and then from there propelling into an Olympic silver medal in 2002. Those kids that now are growing into the into the NHL stature, those guys looked at us, looked at Mike Modano, looked at Chris [Chelios], Brett Hull, we're the guys that they watched. And now you see, when I came in the league, there was 14 or 13 percent was American in the National Hockey League. Now it's up around 32 percent. So I think our generation has created a totally new and bigger wave of hockey and now compete with Canada as the best nation in the world.»
Roenick's Hall of Fame career also has movie credit as he would appear in video game form in the movie "Swingers"(1996) with Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn.
Roenick will be forever remembered by hockey fans everywhere as a force on the ice, during his 18-year career known for his offensive skills, and physicality.
| POLL |
Do you think Jeremy Roenick should've been inducted into the HHOF years ago? |
| Yes | 51 | 92.7 % |
| No | 4 | 7.3 % |
| List of polls |
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