Phoenix Coyotes

  • Last Updated: June 13, 2021
Jeremy Roenick Phoenix Coyotes

On August 16, 1996, Roenick was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for Alexei Zhamnov and Craig Mills. As the number 27 he wore in Chicago was already worn by (and would eventually be retired for) Teppo Numminen, Roenick chose number 97, becoming the first player in NHL history to wear number 97.

In his first season with his new team, Roenick scored 29 goals and 69 points. In 1997–98, he finished second on the team with 56 points. In 1998–99, he led the Coyotes with 72 points and played in his fifth All-Star Game while also knocking 154 hits.

In 1999–2000, Roenick again led the Coyotes in scoring, this time racking up 34 goals and 78 points. He tallied 125 hits on the season and played in his sixth All-Star Game.

In 2000–01, Roenick led the Coyotes with 30 goals and 76 points. He played 80 games and registered 133 hits.

Roenick returned to the Coyotes for a second stint for the 2006-2007 season, signing a one-year, $1.2 million deal, on July 4, 2006, that brought him back to the Phoenix Coyotes.

In Phoenix for his second tenure, he scored 28 points in 70 games (a relatively low scoring season for him). His second stint in Phoenix was not without its share of off ice issues as well.

On December 12, 2006 Roenick left GM Place after finding out that he had been scratched from the games line up. Roenick went on record saying that he left the arena to go to a restaurant for what he called "a nice dinner". At the heart of the problem was Roenick felt that he was healthy enough to play in the game following a back injury and Coach Gretzky felt he needed more time. Roenick's antics led to him being benched again in the Coyote's next game.

The next time Roenick was scratched he was more accepting of Gretzky's decision stating a different mind set following the news that his daughter, Brandi, had been diagnosed with the kidney ailment IgA nephropathy.

He became the seventh player to be inducted into the Coyotes' Ring of Honor in 2012.