«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.»