Jeremy Roenick

[Eye of Ra]

What type of impact did he have on the ice?

Is he one of the best centers the Blackhaws ever had?

Would he have a impact today if he was in prime?

Click to read more...

 

[JaegerDice]

Best comparable is probably Seguin. Quick enough, great shot, good playmaking, needed a map to the defensive end on too many nights.

He would probably hold up better than many of his contemporaries in todays game simply because he was fast enough. But Id say many teams would probably favor him at wing these days.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

He was a super star until he got hurt. Then he was just a star. Yes and yes. Think Hall with a better shot.

 

[Hawkaholic]

The reason I am a Hawks fan.

 

[Fortyfives]

 

[Panzerspitze]

Going off memory, I recall seeing Roenick's post-season stats were pretty underwhelming. OTOH, I distinctly remember an announcer reciting Joe Murphy's self-boasting that he (Murphy) "[was] a big-time player." after Murphy scored the OT winner in a playoff game against the Patrick Roy-backstopped Avs. When I looked at Murphy's post-season numbers, those seemed better than Roenick's. I don't remember whether Roenick and Murphy played on the same line (I was little and barely started watching hockey). But was Roenick's not-so-great post-season numbers just my misperception? Was [my perception of] Roenick's [lack of] post-season production a result of him underperforming [relative to other Blackhawks playoff stars past or present], or more due to the quality of opposition [against top-pairing defenders] vis-a-vis what Joe Murphy faced?

 

[piteus]

Around that time, 3 great players / centers came along in the Norris ... Modano, Yzerman, and Roenick. Of the 3, most everyone thought Roenick was the better overall player. Unfortunately, his all out style / injuries caught up far before Modano and Yzerman.

An earlier post suggested Roenick played like Seguin. Perhaps their hockey skills and partying ways were similar ... but Roenick was FAR tougher on the ice. Roenick wasn't huge, but he was strong as an ox.

The trade of Roenick for Zhamnov was the start of the dark ages for the Hawks.

 

[piteus]

Going off memory, I recall seeing Roenick's post-season stats were pretty underwhelming. OTOH, I distinctly remember an announcer reciting Joe Murphy's self-boasting that he (Murphy) "[was] a big-time player." after Murphy scored the OT winner in a playoff game against the Patrick Roy-backstopped Avs. When I looked at Murphy's post-season numbers, those seemed better than Roenick's. I don't remember whether Roenick and Murphy played on the same line (I was little and barely started watching hockey). But was Roenick's not-so-great post-season numbers just my misperception? Was [my perception of] Roenick's [lack of] post-season production a result of him underperforming, or more due to the quality of opposition [against top defenders] vis-a-vis what Joe Murphy faced?

Roenick played at the Stadium which favored a rugged physical defensive style due to its size. It was even more apparent in the playoffs. Furthermore, most of Roenick's success in the playoffs with the Hawks was under Keenan ... who did not favor an open game. However, most of the Hawks' playoff success during that decade was with Keenan anyways. The Norris was a brutally physical defensively oriented division. The first two rounds were always division opponents.

 

[piteus]

U

Going off memory, I recall seeing Roenick's post-season stats were pretty underwhelming. OTOH, I distinctly remember an announcer reciting Joe Murphy's self-boasting that he (Murphy) "[was] a big-time player." after Murphy scored the OT winner in a playoff game against the Patrick Roy-backstopped Avs. When I looked at Murphy's post-season numbers, those seemed better than Roenick's. I don't remember whether Roenick and Murphy played on the same line (I was little and barely started watching hockey). But was Roenick's not-so-great post-season numbers just my misperception? Was [my perception of] Roenick's [lack of] post-season production a result of him underperforming [relative to other Blackhawks playoff stars past or present], or more due to the quality of opposition [against top-pairing defenders] vis-a-vis what Joe Murphy faced?

I remember Joe Murphy. If I'm not mistaken his biggest asset was his speed. He came from Edmonton so he was more known for his offense. I don't remember him being much of a defensive player. I do remember Amonte playing with his HS buddy, Roenick, a lot when he was first traded. Not quite sure if Murphy was paired with Roenick. It might have been Goulet on the other side ... or even "the great" Patrick Poulin.

 

[SnakePlissken]

What type of impact did he have on the ice?

Speed and skill, with an attitude. The game was a little more open then and he took advantage of it with his speed and shot. Enjoyed hitting, but was not uber-strong on the puck like Toews is, i.e. he wasn't a dominant cycle player. He was absolutely a huge fan favorite.

Regarding another comment that he wasn't fond of the D zone, I don't recall him ever being considered a defensive liability. He was a very positive plus player as a Hawk.

Is he one of the best centers the Blackhaws ever had?

He's a borderline hall of famer, so I'd say yes. His emergence allowed the Hawks to trade Savard for Chelios, and along with Belfour and Larmer they were the core of some excellent Hawks teams in the late 80s and early 90s. Good times in the old barn...

Would he have a impact today if he was in prime?

Definitely. He was a fairly dominant 1C in his day, and his size, speed, and skill would translate to today quite well.

He wasn't the same player after his knee injury, but he wanted to be paid like he was. Ultimately, he talked his way out of Chicago. My season tickets ended with his last game as a Hawk.

 

[plank]

Around that time, 3 great players / centers came along in the Norris ... Modano, Yzerman, and Roenick. Of the 3, most everyone thought Roenick was the better overall player. Unfortunately, his all out style / injuries caught up far before Modano and Yzerman.

An earlier post suggested Roenick played like Seguin. Perhaps their hockey skills and partying ways were similar ... but Roenick was FAR tougher on the ice. Roenick wasn't huge, but he was strong as an ox.

The trade of Roenick for Zhamnov was the start of the dark ages for the Hawks.

I agree with what you said here accept Yzerman was a bit older and it was Rod Brind'amour who came along at the same time. In the 1988 draft the North Stars took Modano #1 while Roenick went 8th and the Blues took Rod at 9. I don't think whoever made the Seguin comparison watched Roenick during his time with the Hawks.

 

[ChiHawks10]

He was one of my favorite players on the Hawks for his entire run. Ever since I started playing hockey around 1989. Absolutely loved him. Then, when I was 10 years old or so, my team went to a Hawks game. Our assistant coach(and the goalie's Dad) was good friends with Chelios growing up, so we all went back to Cheli's Chili after the Hawks game. We hung around with Chelios and a couple others. Even have pictures and a plaque from that still.

I went up to Roenick for an autograph on my hat, as he also came back there after the game. He was with his wife, I believe, at the time, by the bar. He told me to get the hell out of there, that he was spending time with his wife, as he pounded a beer. While all the other players there were hanging with the kids and signing autographs. Never liked the guy(as a person) from that moment on. Was a total dick to all the kids on my team/at the restaurant that night. Didn't sign a single autograph, then left there stumbling around drunk, from what I remember. Always respected him and loved him as a player. He played a rough/physical, yet highly skilled game, similar to how I liked to play. But couldn't stand him as a person after that. He's grown on me a bit over the past 6-7 years since taking up broadcasting/analysis. Not sure if he's still a drinker or not. I thought I remember back in his days with San Jose he said he didn't drink much anymore.

 

[mikee]

Roenick was fast with a good shot, would throw what little weight he had around and played with an edge including some big open ice hits that made him a fan favorite. He wasn't a tremendous passer, but he created a lot of space with his speed and aggressive play to open up opportunities for other guys on his line. He was perfectly adequate defensively, though never a standout. He was absolutely a bonafide #1 C and one of the best players in the league prior to his knee injury. After the injury and with his balls to the walls style beginning to pile other nagging injuries he slowed down both in terms of speed and in terms of aggression. His last year or so with the Hawks (and the rest of his 20s after departing) he was still a skilled 1st line player but not the dynamo he had been previously.

When he first came up I seem to recall him playing with Steve Thomas on his wing most frequently and then a rotating cast on the other side. Once Savard was traded and Goulet was acquired Goulet-Roenick-Larmer was pretty frequent although other guys like Gilbert, Matteau and Noonan would play with him too. Then in 94 they formed the RAM line for a while with Amonte and Murphy. Poulin also got some time with him. After his knee injury and the team acquired Nicholls and brought back Savard they mostly played Roenick at LW when everyone was available (Roenick-Nicholls-Murphy).

Roenick would have been just as dominant in today's era as back then. The only thing he would need to change would be the edge he played with. He went to the penalty box a lot back then, and if current fans thought Andrew Shaw took stupid penalties, Roenick would have driven them insane. He would have had to reel in that aspect of his game.

 

[Central PA Hawk Fan]

My favorite player and the reason I became a Hawks fan. Great player, wish he would've been able to play his whole career here.

 

[BobbyJet]

Yeah, though Roenick had the equivalent of offensive ability I don't like the comparison with Seguin. JR was rather unique in that he was highly skilled offensively, he played with a lot of heart and was tough as nails. He played hockey with reckless abandon and knew of no other way to play the game. That reckless style took a toll on his knees - unfortunately his career was cut short and he became known as injury prone with "old knees". When he was right, Roenick was near the top of the heap.

What type of impact did he have on the ice? Dominant.

Is he one of the best centers the Blackhaws ever had? Absolutely yes.

Would he have a impact today if he was in prime? Yes. The game today is less physical. If Roenck had managed to stay healthy he was another Denis Savard to the Hawk org. He will always be underrated in my mind.

 

[plank]

man, I hate that ****ing song!

 

[piteus]

Roenick was fast with a good shot, would throw what little weight he had around and played with an edge including some big open ice hits that made him a fan favorite. He wasn't a tremendous passer, but he created a lot of space with his speed and aggressive play to open up opportunities for other guys on his line. He was perfectly adequate defensively, though never a standout. He was absolutely a bonafide #1 C and one of the best players in the league prior to his knee injury. After the injury and with his balls to the walls style beginning to pile other nagging injuries he slowed down both in terms of speed and in terms of aggression. His last year or so with the Hawks (and the rest of his 20s after departing) he was still a skilled 1st line player but not the dynamo he had been previously.

When he first came up I seem to recall him playing with Steve Thomas on his wing most frequently and then a rotating cast on the other side. Once Savard was traded and Goulet was acquired Goulet-Roenick-Larmer was pretty frequent although other guys like Gilbert, Matteau and Noonan would play with him too. Then in 94 they formed the RAM line for a while with Amonte and Murphy. Poulin also got some time with him. After his knee injury and the team acquired Nicholls and brought back Savard they mostly played Roenick at LW when everyone was available (Roenick-Nicholls-Murphy).

Roenick would have been just as dominant in today's era as back then. The only thing he would need to change would be the edge he played with. He went to the penalty box a lot back then, and if current fans thought Andrew Shaw took stupid penalties, Roenick would have driven them insane. He would have had to reel in that aspect of his game.

Brian Noonan! One of my favorites. Played hard and loved his beer. Nice quiet dude.

Bernie Nicholls - everyone knows what I mean when I say Gold Coast Legend. Pretty good player too.

Why do I remember JR playing with Thomas and Vaive early in his career?

Stéphane Matteau scored the Cup winning goal for the Rangers. The big lug had some talent and more importantly, I loved saying his name.

 

[BobbyJet]

/\ Thank-you Plank. That tribute video brought back plenty of fond memories.

 

[Blue Liner]

/\ Thank-you Plank. That tribute video brought back plenty of fond memories.

Wow, no kidding. That took me back. Some of those Hawks teams had to be one of the best teams in pro sports to never win a title.

Hearing Pat and Dale together on the broadcast instantly takes me back to being a kid, especially because they were simulcast back then and it makes me think of hearing the games on the radio to and from my own practices and games in the car.

 

[Hawkaholic]

Roenick played at the Stadium which favored a rugged physical defensive style due to its size. It was even more apparent in the playoffs. Furthermore, most of Roenick's success in the playoffs with the Hawks was under Keenan ... who did not favor an open game. However, most of the Hawks' playoff success during that decade was with Keenan anyways. The Norris was a brutally physical defensively oriented division. The first two rounds were always division opponents.

That's how I remember him as well, I kind of got confused by the Seguin comparison.

Always remember his emotion, high intensity style, and don't give a **** attitude. That, with his name being Jeremy, wearing my favourite number (27) he was a very easy guy to like and is the only reason I am a Hawk fan today.

 

[rick hawk]

If I had a team and could have either Roenick or Savard at their absolute prime I'd take Roenick.

 

[ChiHawks10]

It's crazy that everyone says he was an easy guy to like. My only experience with him, personally, was an awful one, and made him hard to like, despite how much I loved the way he played the game.

 

[clydesdale line]

Was a hell of a player to watch. One of the reasons why I liked Sharp so much is because he was probably the closest guy in playing style to JR in a Hawks uniform I got to watch during and after the dark ages.

Pretty cool nugget: The kid that cried in the '92 (game 4) Final JR acknowledged after the Hawks won the '10 cup posts on another message board I frequently visit as well.

 

[b1e9a8r5s]

One of the first games I ever went to was game 4 in 94 (I was 13) against the Leafs at the old stadium. JR assisted on 3 goals (Suter hat trick) and then scored the OT winner to win 4-3 and tie the series at 2 games a piece. The building was the loudest I've ever heard any arena. Just up for grabs.

It ended up being the last Hawks goal ever scored at the old stadium as the Hawks lost game's 5 and 6 1-0.

http://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/199404240CHI.html

 

[HeisenBaez]

Oh, definitely was my co-favorite Hawk growing up (with Eddie The Eagle). His trade to the Coyotes for so little was the first time as a sports fan that I was crushed. Roenick is easily one of the great Hawks of all time

As for playing in today's game, yes he can and probably would dominate. Legitimate great talents can play in any period of hockey. I think you could go back in time, take Roenick from his prime (90-94) and bring him to the modern game, he'd easily be a top 15 player. Just a thought of him and Toews as a 1-2 center (or centre) gives me goosebumps because that would give teams nightmares.