Jeremy Shaffer Roenick (born January 17, 1970) is a former American professional ice hockey player, widely recognized for his impressive career in the National Hockey League (NHL). Roenick was selected 8th overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks, where he played from 1988 to 1996. He later went on to play for the Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks, spending a total of 20 seasons in the NHL.
Jeremy Roenick Biography 2024
Roenick also represented Team USA in several international tournaments. On November 10, 2007, he became just the third American-born player to score 500 goals, joining Joe Mullen and Mike Modano. He is one of only 46 players in NHL history to reach that milestone. Roenick retired in 2009 and subsequently worked as a hockey analyst for NBC Sports from 2010 to 2020. In 2024, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Jeremy Roenick Biography Details
| Born | January 17, 1970 (age 54)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
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| Weight | 201 lb (91 kg; 14 st 5 lb) |
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| Position | Center |
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| Shot | Right |
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| Played for | Chicago Blackhawks
Kölner Haie
Phoenix Coyotes
Philadelphia Flyers
Los Angeles Kings
San Jose Sharks |
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| National team | United States |
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| NHL draft | 8th overall, 1988
Chicago Blackhawks |
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| Playing career | 1988–2009 |
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| Website | roenicklife.com |
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Jeremy Roenick Early Life
Roenick’s journey to the NHL began at the age of four when his parents enrolled him in a hockey program after a suggestion from a friend. Growing up as the son of a Mobil oil district coordinator, Roenick moved frequently throughout the Northeastern United States, often joining new hockey teams with each relocation. As a youth, he played in the 1982 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor hockey team from Middlesex County, Connecticut, and in the 1983 tournament with the Washington Capitals’ minor team.
Roenick’s family eventually settled in Fairfax, Virginia, where he played for the New Jersey Rockets, a bantam-level team that had won back-to-back national championships in 1984–85 and 1985–86. At just 14 years old, Roenick made weekly flights from Dulles Airport to Newark, New Jersey, to participate in the Rockets’ games. During his time with the Rockets, he scored an impressive 300 points in just 75 games, helping the team win a state championship.
After a year of frequent travel, Roenick’s family moved back to Massachusetts, where he enrolled at Thayer Academy. There, he played on a line with future NHL teammate Tony Amonte, and the duo went on to win two League Championships together. Roenick’s standout play at Thayer Academy earned him a spot in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft, where he was selected 8th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. Prior to the draft, he was also approached by Wayne Gretzky, who tried to persuade him to play for the Hull Olympiques, a team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) that Gretzky owned. Instead, Roenick chose to play for the Olympiques during the 1988–89 season, where he scored 70 points in 28 games.
Jeremy Roenick Playing Career
Career Aspect | Details |
Early Playing Experience | Roenick started playing hockey at age 4 and moved frequently due to his father’s job, eventually attending Thayer Academy. |
First NHL Season | Roenick made his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1988 and scored his first NHL goal in February 1989. |
NHL Draft | Drafted 8th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1988 NHL Entry Draft. |
Notable Teams Played For | Chicago Blackhawks, Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks. |
Chicago Blackhawks (1988–1996)
Aspect | Details |
First Full Season | Roenick joined the Blackhawks full-time in 1989-90, scoring 26 goals and 66 points. |
Playoff Success | Roenick helped the Blackhawks reach the 1992 Stanley Cup Finals, scoring 22 points in 18 playoff games. |
Career Highlight | Led the Blackhawks with 53 goals and 103 points in 1992-93, earning an All-Star selection. |
Traded for Chelios | The Blackhawks traded Denis Savard for Chris Chelios in 1990, trusting Roenick’s leadership. |
Phoenix Coyotes (1996–2001)
Aspect | Details |
Impact on Franchise | Roenick became the face of the Coyotes, bringing the team to prominence in the late 1990s. |
Scoring Achievements | Roenick scored over 30 goals in multiple seasons with the Coyotes, solidifying his reputation as a top scorer. |
Notable Trades | Roenick was traded to Philadelphia Flyers in 2001, ending a successful stretch in Phoenix. |
Playing Style and Achievements
Career Aspect | Details |
Playing Position | Center |
NHL Skills | Roenick was known for his shooting accuracy, speed, and competitive fire. |
NHL All-Star Appearances | Roenick played in 9 NHL All-Star Games from 1991 to 2004. |
500 Goals Milestone | He became the third American-born player to score 500 career goals in 2007. |
International Hockey Success
Aspect | Details |
Olympic Medal | Roenick won a silver medal with Team USA in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. |
Canada Cup | Roenick earned a silver medal in the 1991 Canada Cup with Team USA. |
World Junior Championships | Roenick led Team USA in scoring at the 1989 World Juniors, setting a record for American points. |
Jeremy Roenick’s Media Career
Career Aspect | Details |
NBC Sports | Roenick served as a hockey analyst for NBC from 2010 to 2020, providing coverage for the NHL and Olympic hockey. |
Other Media Appearances | Roenick appeared on TSN, FOX Sports, and CBC’s Battle of the Blades, showcasing his charisma off the ice. |
Pop Culture Presence | Roenick became a pop culture figure, referenced in films like Swingers and appearing on TV shows such as Bones. |
Controversial Remarks
Aspect | Details |
Lockout Comments | Roenick’s comment to fans during the 2004–05 NHL lockout telling them to “kiss my ass” led to widespread controversy. |
NBC Suspension | Roenick was suspended by NBC in 2019 for inappropriate comments about colleagues, leading to his eventual termination. |
Olympic Criticism | Roenick publicly criticized Team USA selections for the 2010 Winter Olympics, which led to some backlash. |
Personal Life and Legacy
Career Aspect | Details |
Family | Roenick is married to Tracy Roenick, and they have two children: Brandi and Brett. |
Political Views | Roenick voiced support for Donald Trump during the 2016 Presidential election. |
Charity and Community Work | Roenick is known for his efforts to give back to fans and communities, drawing from his own childhood experience with Gordie Howe. |
Awards and Achievements
Aspect | Details |
QMJHL Honors | Named to the QMJHL Second All-Star Team in 1989. |
Canada Cup 1991 | Part of the All-Tournament Team in the 1991 Canada Cup. |
NHL Career Records | Holds the NHL Skills Competition record for shooting accuracy (2004). |
Jeremy Roenick Net Worth
The former hockey player has an estimated net worth of around $37 million.
Jeremy Roenick Summary
Jeremy Roenick career is marked by numerous milestones, including his status as one of the most skilled and entertaining American hockey players. From a young age, Roenick was known for his talent and leadership, which carried him to nine NHL All-Star Games, the 500-goal club, and international success with Team USA. After his playing career, Roenick transitioned to a successful career in media, though his outspoken nature often led to controversy. His legacy is multifaceted—he is remembered as both a passionate player who gave everything on the ice and a larger-than-life personality off it, with a lasting influence on the sport and its fanbase.
