Jeremy Roenick; Arrogant Arse?    

     So, I just read an article in The Hockey News that was written by Jeremy Roenick. Now, I have never been a fan of Roenick's. In fact, my opinion of him throughout his career has been that he is a dirty prick. So now he writes this article, I guess to tell his story and convince us that he isn't that bad. I'm happy to report that we weren't wrong. He's still an arrogant arse. I was hoping to find a link to the full article online, but no luck, so I will place some quotes here.

     He starts off by saying his failure in Los Angeles after the lock-out was in part (note: in part) due to his failure to keep in shape during the down time. At this point I thought perhaps he was going to take responsibility for his shortcomings as a 35-year-old playing in the NHL. Ah, but Jeremy couldn't hold to that line of thinking. He goes on to blame his under-achievement on "equipment issues". 

     "And, combined with the equipment issues I had that year--I have a double-radius on my skates that requires special sharpening and wasn't having much luck getting the right balance with the Kings--I wasn't able to get back where I wanted to be, even after I'd gotten back into shape."

     So poor Jeremy moves to Phoenix. Yay for him. His first thought about this is the confusion as to whether he is there to help the team win or maybe because he is such a big fucking name in the NHL, a star among stars, a shining light so brilliant he is there only to draw the crowds. What? What did you just say, you big-headed bastard? If Wayne Gretzky being the head coach can't bring the fans to the ice, what makes you think you can?

     Arrogant prick.

     After another disappointing season was well under way in Phoenix, the higher-ups suggest that maybe he should retire at the end of the season. As he puts it: 

     "They wanted me to just walk off into the sunset and accept what ails aging players....yet I still felt I could play at a high level and could still skate with some of the young kids."

     Jeremy, you don't have enough sense to know where the sun sets, but apparently you think it rises straight out of your brown eye.

     Arrogant arse.

     Then came "The Dinner" incident. The Coyotes were playing in Vancouver and Roenick was a healthy scratch. Rather than be at the arena giving his team support, or riding the bike in the training room, or any number of other things he could have done to show that he is a team player, he went out to dinner. Glad to know you care Jeremy. 

     "I was told I wasn't playing when I could have played and it disappointed me. But the media made it sound like I walked out on the team and turned my back on my teammates. Supposedly, it was a really terrible thing to have dinner instead of staying at the arena and watching the game there."

     He goes on to say that it's not a written rule that you have to stay at the arena. If it's some unwritten rule, then it should be made a rule throughout the sport.

     Jeremy, you poor, simple-minded dumbfuck. Ask anyone, anyone, who has ever played a team sport, and they will tell you that you never, ever walk out on your team. If the coach tells you that tonight you're the towel-boy because that's where they need you, that's what you do. If you were a mere fraction of the star that you seem to think you are your presence at the arena, even though you weren't playing, would have meant the world to the rest of the guys. But no, you felt a temper tantrum was in order so you took your ball and went home. Poor li'l baby.

     Now it's on to San Jose. Don't blow this one Jeremy. This could be your final chance to play in the NHL. So he talks about how nice it is to be playing for the Sharks, and how wonderful it is to have these young players around him, young players that he can take under his wing and teach them what it means to be a professional hockey player.

     GAG!!! Can anyone say Prima donna?

     He also elaborates on his relationship with the coaches. 

     "As well, the coach respects me for what I've done and is always honest with me. He'll look me right in the face and tell me exactly what he's thinking, without any BS whatsoever. If the coaching and staff don't want me to play in a game, they'll tell me they're playing someone else to get me some rest and keep me ready for the playoffs."

     So let me get this straight. As long as you're told that the reason you're not playing is because you're just so damned valuable that the coach thinks you need your beauty sleep and just wants to make sure that you feel ok when playoff time comes, you're fine with that. But by God, they'd better not tell you you're not playing because you sucked last week, then you just might, well, I don't know, go off and have dinner somewhere I guess.

     After reading this garbage filled article I have only one hope for this playoff season. I hope the Sharks go down in flames simply for the enjoyment of King Jeremy not getting to drink from The Cup, yet again. With any luck him and his candy-assed attitude will walk off into the sunset and stay there. We don't need your kind in the NHL Roenick.

© Ozzy McGurt 2008