Goodbye, JR

J.R. was really one of the first Blackhawks that I really started to idolize. His finesse, speed, and tenacious aggression made him one of the best in the NHL at the time. Ovechkin is the one player today that often reminds me of Roenick in that not only on the scoresheet that he could turn the momentum of a game. But not only his game but his passion and his no b.s. “tell it like it is” attitude was everything what is right in a player of his magnitude for he never gave the coach-like drone answer but rather his actual opinion and for that he aways have my respect.
3 50-goal seasons to go along with 3 100-point seasons Jeremy Roenick wasn’t just another individual on the Hawks-he was the Hawks! His legend at the time was equal to Tony-O’s, Stan the Man’s, and even Bobby Hull’s at their respective peeks of their careers with the Hawks. Unfortunately the 1992 Finals was as close as he would ever get in his career to a Stanley Cup and that is too sad for he definitely deserved one and it is a shame for I still remember his interview after Game 4 in the Finals were he thought the Hawks would conceiveably get back to the Finals in that it was only a matter of time.
One memory that still gives me goosebumps is his OT goal in Game 4 in 1994 vs. the Leafs in the old Chicago Stadium (the last goal ever scored by a Hawk). Whether it was Bob Cole or Pat Foley, the call of the goal was just a moment that will stand the test of time with J.R. ultimately doing a spiral on his knees only to end up in Belfour’s celebratory arms. What a moment!
And for that Thank-you J.R., Thank-you, Thank-you, Thank-you for all the memories. As a longtime fan of the Hawks this will be a hard one for I really and truly loved Roenick and will always be one of my favourites.
Ladies and gentlemen… turn out the lights…J.R. has left the building!!!

is a t-shirt I would expect to see on Roenick. I think Sam said it best. I saw a pretty fair amount of games spread out across the entirety of Roenicks stay here. Towards the end, I have to sacrilegiously admit I had grown tired of his bellyaching and wasn’t upset when he left. He truly was like an unguided missile ripping through anything in his path and near the end of his Hawks days, I felt like he was using opposing players as nothing more than something hard to slam into just to let off steam and see if he was still alive. But, no comment about him can be without praise for the talent and grit he had. He worked, he hit, he did a lot of things. Watching Roenick on or off the ice could never be called boring. Surprisingly, I think most people have a pretty accurate and balanced view of him, the good and the bad. If anyone, Roenick himself would probably be the last one to ask for any sympathy. Go into the night however you choose Jeremy, quietly or otherwise; it’s not like you would ask us how to go anyway and that’s fair enough.

Wow the memories of SRO at the Stadium,JR had balls of steel whining aside.Loved him when Secord was out there,JR started Big Al finished.That that JR wouldnt drop em in a sec.Thanks JR.

There has never been a time for me that has been matched then when Roenick was with the Hawks. From his first shift as a scrawny kid in 1988, he literally put me at the edge of my seat in the first row of the second balcony at the old stadium. He played the game the way it was supposed to be played. When he was with the Hawks he was nothing but exceptional. He hit, he scored, he passed, he spoke, and he lead! For me there has never been or possibly will not be a player that can come close to the enjoyment and great memories that he gave to me. I know, living in the past, but honestly for me this guy was awesome. It is too bad that he never got another chance for a run at the cup which he really deserves. I am still pissed at Wirtz for trading him for that russian what’s his name, who never amounted to anything. That was just as bad as letting Bobby Hull leave for the WHA.

The Hawks should sign him for the minimum and let him play one game, and then retire as a Hawk. Couldn’t think of a better PR move than that right now.

Jeremy, you will always be my favorite Hawk, hockey player, and voice of the game no matter what you said. It’s your honesty and play without fear that inspires me.
Congratulations on a great caeer. See you in the Hall of Fame.

Thanks for all the momories!

Meant not that JR would NOT hesitate to drop em in a heartbeat.

anyone who has seen JR up close lately knows the price he’s paid over the years…dude’s mug is a road map of Beirut.

and flight attendants can now rest easier…

and I still hate you Derian Hatcher…