Jeremy Roenick on NHL career, Playing for US Hockey Team, RESPECT for Fans, and Whiskey in the Wild

In The Front Row with Mike Vaccaro

Jeremy Roenick was born in Boston and moved around as a youth. He played hockey for the first time at age 4 and fell in love with the game. When he was 7 years old, Roenick had a memorable encounter with hockey legend Gordie Howe, something that would shape how he treated fans during his career. As a 10-year-old, he and his friends idolized Mike Eruzione and the US Olympic team that won gold in Lake Placid, NY (Ep. 49 featured Mike Eruzione: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6Wmnarax8g&t=1068s). Roenick moved back to Massachusetts and played hockey at Thayer Academy before the Chicago Blackhawks drafted him in 1988 making his debut in October and his playoff debut that season as well. He became a full-time member of the Blackhawks in the 1989-90 season and remained in Chicago until he was traded to Phoenix in 1996. Roenick played 20 seasons in the NHL including stops in Philadelphia, Los Angeles and San Jose along with a second stint in Phoenix playing for coach Wayne Gretzky. He retired in 2009 as one of the best American-born players to ever play in the NHL (513 goals, 703 assists and 9 All Star appearances) but it still not inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Roenick shares his journey with us and tells us about his first All-Star game during the 1990-91 season, the teammates he enjoyed playing with the most and the moment he gained the respect of his teammates as a rookie. Plus, he recounts what it was like being in Chicago during the Bulls NBA titles led by Michael Jordan (and gives us his take on recent comments by former Bull Scottie Pippen regarding Jordan). We also hear about Roenick’s post-playing endeavors including his broadcasting and acting career along with his company Whisky in the Wild. He even gives us his take on the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals featuring the Las Vegas Knights and the Florida Panthers.