EMAIL:

Dear JR,

I’m fairly recent as hockey fans go–I grew up a basketball fan (mostly college, but sometimes pro), and only got really interested in the NHL until 1997, when I moved here to San Jose. A friend of mine took me to a game, and that was all it took, I was hooked. Ever since then, the Sharks have been my team, and I know you know what I mean when I say that. Even as a new hockey fan, though, I knew who Jeremy Roenick was–and naturally, as a result, knew JR’s reputation.

When I heard that Doug Wilson had signed you two seasons ago, my husband and I had been season ticket holders for a couple of years already, and I really wasn’t sure how to feel about the signing. I was a bit nervous, though–they’re my boys, the playoff exit was brutal that year for them (and us–not that it’s ever *not* brutal), and I just wasn’t sure how it would affect the team from a chemistry and synergy perspective, so I worried.

I’ve never been happier to have been so wrong about something, and though I’ve never met you, I’ve always felt since then that I owe you a huge apology for that doubt. So, for whatever doubt I harbored about you at the beginning of the 2007 season, I’m so sorry. You have proven me wrong in spades.

You have given us some amazing moments, and you’ve been such an inspiration that I just really don’t know how to put it into words beyond that. I still hope to run into you one of these days on the street (probably not as likely now, I suppose!), because I still carry around with me the ticket from the night when you scored your 500th goal.

I’ve been hoping all summer that you’d decide to give us one more year; this season’s playoff bow was such a huge disappointment–not just the usual gut-check, but because I kept hoping that you’d finally win that cup.

If Thursday’s announcement is that you’ve decided to retire, well…from a purely selfish perspective, I’ll be disappointed, sure. On the other hand, I’m just so grateful that you were able to be a part of my team for a couple of years. I’ve loved every minute of watching you play–thank you for that. It has been an honor, a joy, and a privilege to have you as a part of the team that I love so much for these past two seasons.

All my best,

Liz

RESPONSE:

I want to thank my fans (Liz) for the thousands of emails I get like this, I really do love reading them, and cannot tell you all how important you all have been to my career. The media has magnified the “reputation” of Jeremy Roenick. Those who know me, have met me, have played with me, that have experienced my love for my teammates, the game, the fans, and people in need, understand who I am. Those that know the truth about the extent of my head injuries incurred at the end of my final season with the Flyers understand my style of play change and abilities. The people that don’t know the truth must just love feeding off negative energy, and just trash me. As for the media, well, I think they need something to talk about to try and get some recognition for hockey on Sports Center, and maybe a small section of the newspaper, and I gave them what they needed, a comment good/bad/or indifferent, I gave it to them, which is rare in the NHL, but it gave the NHL the publicity it is so desperate for, since the NHL falls behind women’s ping pong in the pyramid of sports, LOL. Regardless, It has been an honor sharing this great game with everyone, Thank you!