Jeremy Roenick gave us the most touching moment of the induction of the members of the 2024 vintage of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Monday evening, in Toronto.
During his emotional speech, the 54-year-old recounted how his friend Doug Wilson saved his life when he was the general manager of the San Jose Sharks.
• Also read: In front of his former CH teammates, Shea Weber enters the Hall of Fame
• Also read: MUST SEE: Michkov celebrates his return to training in the best way
He explained that no team in the National Hockey League (NHL) wanted him after the 2006-2007 season, when he was four goals short of reaching 500 career goals.
“Depression and alcohol had taken hold in my life,” Roenick said. I was in Idaho with my family and my angel called me: Doug Wilson.”
“My first roommate in the NHL and the GM of the Sharks. He asked me to come see him in San Jose and I flew out the next day. He saw the desperation on my face.”
“He asked me if I wanted to play for the Sharks and I said, “Oh, yes.” He told me he had three rules for me: accept minimum wage, no speaking to the media unless asked, and no alcohol. I threw away the beer I had in my hand and immediately shook his hand. I scored my 500e goal three months later.”
“Thank you, Doug Wilson, for being such a good friend and for being a friend when I needed one most. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. You really saved my life.”
Roenick ultimately played two seasons with the Sharks before retiring from the NHL. He concluded his brilliant career with 513 goals and 703 assists, for 1463 points in 1363 games.
