Jeremy Roenick Shares His Feelings On Keith Tkachuk
Jeremy Roenick was one of the best players of his era especially as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks and then named Phoenix Coyotes. Back in the 90's the Coyotes were actually good and recently Roenick would share his admiration for former teammate Keith Tkachuk.
Tkachuk was one of the most respected Captain's of the 90's and was hard to play against like his son's today Matthew and Brady. But don't take my word for it take it from his former teammate Jeremy Roenick.
»I have never played with a captain who take care of people like Tkachuk did. He looked after his teammates, trainers, equipment guys, clubhouse attendants and anyone else who made his life better.
He always carried a wad of cash, and he dispensed tips more freely than any man I've met. For example, he would ask the visiting clubhouse attendant to place a cold case of beer on the back of the bus. Once the attendant accomplished that task, Tkachuk would hand him a hundred-dollar bill.
There is no question that Tkachuk was the most caring teammate that I've ever known. When we were on the road, Tkachuk would meet people down on their luck, and he would check on their well-being when he came to town. In Alberta, Keith knew an old-time hockey guy named Red. When Tkachuk was in town, Red knew he had a job as our dressing-room attendant.
(Former) Toronto Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle introduced Big Walt to Red when Carlyle and Tkachuk played together in Winnipeg. Carlyle took care of Red back then, and Carlyle made Tkachuk promise he would take care of Red after Carlyle retired.
Frankly, Red was a mess, but one time Tkachuk took him on the team charter from Edmonton to Calgary. Tkachuk would park Red in the front of our dressing room door and would tell everyone he would look after our stuff. After the game, he would ask every player for twenty dollars, and then he would kick in a couple of hundred of dollars and give Red the entire wad of cash.»
� Jeremy Roenick.
Source: »J.R. My life as the most outspoken, fearless, and hard-hitting man in hockey»
-Jeremy Roenick
