TORONTO – Jeremy Roenick never had the pleasure of drinking champagne in the Stanley Cup, but he now has his place in the Hockey Hall of Fame thanks to a glorious career of 513 goals and 1,216 points in 1,363 games.
Roenick wasn't just good on the ice. The American also had a talent in front of a microphone, sometimes finding himself in controversy for his colorful comments.
In 1996, during the second round of the playoffs between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Colorado Avalanche, Patrick Roy won a verbal argument against Roenick by saying that he could not hear what he was saying about him since he had “his two Stanley Cup rings in his ears. »
In the Hall of Fame room where you can see the plaques of all the inducted players, Roenick took a trip down memory lane with great pleasure.
“Patrick was the best. Simply the best,” said Roenick when we returned to this incident.
He was given the opportunity to send a message to former number 33.
“Roy can hear me now,” he replied, bursting out laughing. Yes, he can hear me, Patrick. »
Roenick has now reunited with Roy in the Hockey Hall of Fame. A four-time Stanley Cup winner (twice with the Canadiens and twice with the Avalanche) and three times the Vezina Trophy, Roy entered the Hall in 2006.
“I have often spoken about this episode with Patrick. But it was one of my best moments in the NHL. I loved playing against him. There was a great rivalry. We were two passionate gamers and we had sometimes wild conversations. When you play against a legend like Roy and he comes out with such an awesome comment, you can't be mad.
“People still talk to me about it today and it’s been 28 years now. It was 1996. I have to admit: Roy had won his verbal battle against me. »
In 1996, Roy and the Avalanche eliminated Roenick and the Hawks in six games. The Avalanche then triumphed over the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Final (in six games) and the Florida Panthers in the Final (in four games).
Number 33 therefore won the Stanley Cup for the third time that year. He achieved his last triumph in 2001 with the Avalanche. Of his four conquests, Roy has engraved his name three times on the Conn-Smythe Trophy (1986, 1993 and 2001), awarded to the most valuable player of the series.
From 27 to 97
A former first-round pick (8th overall) of the Blackhawks in 1988, Roenick wore number 27 during his eight seasons in Chicago. In his debut with the Phoenix Coyotes in 1996-97, he changed to number 97.
“Teppo Numminen had the 27 and I didn’t want to ask him to give it to me,” he explained. I liked 9 for Gordie Howe and 7 for Bobby Hull. Plus, my son was due to be born in 1997. It was a perfect number. And today I inspired Connor McDavid! »
Roenick ended his explanation of his number change with a nod to McDavid, one of the best players in the world. But the captain of the Edmonton Oilers opted for this number since it represents his date of birth.
A season with the Hull Olympics
Roenick, who is a machine for telling anecdotes, also spoke about his time with the Hull (Gatineau today) Olympics during the 1988-1989 season.
“I played the first games of the year with the Blackhawks before leaving for Hull,” he recalled. I was still a little too frail and too young for the NHL. I really liked the QMJHL. When I was younger, I went with my father from Boston to watch games in Verdun and Laval. It was a very offensive league.
“I had fun with the Olympics, it was fantastic. I lived with the Cadieux family in boarding school. I will talk about them Monday evening in my induction speech. I will also mention Charlie Henry and 'Gretz' (Wayne Gretzky), the owners at that time. I will never forget my matches at the Robert-Guertin Arena. We had a good team with Martin Gélinas, Stéphane Matteau and Karl Dykhuis. »
Roenick had played 28 games for the Olympics, obtaining 70 points (34 goals, 36 assists). He added 19 points (7 goals, 12 assists) in nine playoff games.
Alain Vigneault was behind the team's bench. Unsurprisingly, the American had a story to tell about Vigneault.
“Alain was a very tough coach. I remember one time he made us put our gear on and off about ten times in the locker room at 2 a.m. on our way back from a game. »
“We had a neck guard and Martin Gélinas didn't bring it to a match and we lost. He punished us by making us put on and take off our wet gear ten times. At the end, he told Martin to keep his equipment on and we all went to the bench to watch him do laps of the ice with Alain Vigneault for 45 minutes. No one forgot their neck gaiter after that. »
After Vigneault, Roenick played for Mike Keenan with the Hawks. There was nothing gentle about Keenan. But it was also a different time.
