How About Some Cheese to go with your Whine?

December 22, 2005

Did anyone else experience a rise in blood pressure when they read Jeremy Roenick’s complaint about being left off the Olympic roster for the US hockey team?

The bitter Los Angeles Kings centre called those associated with USA Hockey disrespectful, adding (USA Hockey has) “been blackballing me since September.”
…
The 36-year-old figured he would be named to the team headed to the Torino Games based on past performances.

“To not have the opportunity to go back one more time and try and win the gold is, obviously, in my opinion, very disrespectful,” said Roenick, who has 1,133 points in 1,156 NHL games. “They can beat me down and say I’m over the hill or say that I don’t have it anymore. But to me, I know that I do.”

For starters, an attitude such as this just proves that leaving Roenick off the US team was the right decision. I was just stunned that Roenick thinks he should be on the team based on his past performance. The Olympics are not about what happened 4 years ago or 8 years ago, they’re about winning the gold THIS time. Sure, he has some great numbers, but so does Brian Leetch and John Leclair and Tony Amonte. US Hockey is making the move to bring in the next generation of players because A) the 2002 team came close, but did not get it done and B) the 2002 team is now four years older.

A sad side affect of the lockout and the new rules in hockey is that a generation of stars has faded. Many retired and others have struggled to keep up after the long layoff and being another year older. Roenick is one of these. He may still be able to contribute in the NHL, but he just can’t keep up with young guys who have taken advantage of larger roles on their teams this season. Roenick may be able to take a puck in the jaw better than anyone else, but he sure can’t handle a shot at his ego. Suck it up and wish them well. Whining to the press is a disservice to the guys who are, rightfully, taking your place.

Written by pucknut · Filed Under NHL
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