Contra Costa Times
Article Launched: 03/15/2008 03:02:40 AM PDT
SAN JOSE -- The Bay Area chapter of the
Professional Hockey Writers Association has nominated Jeremy Roenick for the
Bill Masterton Trophy, the NHL award given annually to a player who best
exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Calling the recognition "phenomenal," Roenick
zeroed in on that last quality.
"That's one thing I've tried to do both on
the ice and off the ice," Roenick said. "It had been a tough couple years
beforehand, but it's like a rebirth and a re-energized state of mind and
it's been unbelievable for me."
Traditionally, the award has gone to a player
who has overcome injury or illness. Sharks forward Tony Granato, for
example, won the award in 1997 when he resumed his career after brain
surgery. But the writers' group is hoping to broaden the criteria.
Roenick, whose seven game-winning goals put
him among the league leaders, was ready to retire last summer after sub-par
seasons in Los Angeles and Phoenix. But when Sharks general manager Doug
Wilson raised the possibility of coming to San Jose, Roenick jumped at it.
One requirement: Roenick had to agree to go
alcohol-free during the season.
"He's been a good influence and helped some
of the young guys out," Sharks forward Mike Grier said of Roenick. "How he's
changed his whole life and lifestyle around to be able to play this year,
it's a good example of what it takes to be in the league."
Roenick, who scored his 500th career goal on
Nov. 10 and has 11 goals and 24 points in 59 games, credits his teammates
with making those changes easier.
"Nobody gave me grief about the way I chose
to act this year," Roenick said. "Everybody understood that I had other
objectives to get to."
Sharks coach Ron Wilson praised Roenick for
doing "everything that he promised" and cited his leadership presence,
specifically how he holds his teammates -- and himself -- accountable.
"If he goofed up, he's the first guy in the
room to stand up," Ron Wilson said. "If you have one or two guys willing to
do that, the accountability of your team improves dramatically."
Etc.
Matt Carle, Sandis Ozolinsh, Alexei Semenov
and Tomas Plihal were the Sharks' healthy scratches. ... Sharks defenseman
Brian Campbell and left wing Jody Shelley each played his 400th game.
-- David Pollak, MediaNews staff
SAN JOSE -- The Bay Area chapter of the
Professional Hockey Writers Association has nominated Jeremy Roenick for the
Bill Masterton Trophy, the NHL award given annually to a player who best
exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Calling the recognition "phenomenal," Roenick
zeroed in on that last quality.
"That's one thing I've tried to do both on the
ice and off the ice," Roenick said. "It had been a tough couple years
beforehand, but it's like a rebirth and a re-energized state of mind and it's
been unbelievable for me."
Traditionally, the award has gone to a player
who has overcome injury or illness. Sharks forward Tony Granato, for example,
won the award in 1997 when he resumed his career after brain surgery. But the
writers' group is hoping to broaden the criteria.
Roenick, whose seven game-winning goals put him
among the league leaders, was ready to retire last summer after sub-par
seasons in Los Angeles and Phoenix. But when Sharks general manager Doug
Wilson raised the possibility of coming to San Jose, Roenick jumped at it.
One requirement: Roenick had to agree to go
alcohol-free during the season.
"He's been a good influence and helped some of
the young guys out," Sharks forward Mike Grier said of Roenick. "How he's
changed his whole life and lifestyle around to be able to play this year, it's
a good example of what it takes to be in the league."
Roenick, who scored his 500th career goal on
Nov. 10 and has 11 goals and 24 points in 59 games, credits his teammates with
making those changes easier.
"Nobody gave me grief about the way I chose to
act this year," Roenick said. "Everybody understood that I had other
objectives to get to."
Sharks coach Ron Wilson praised Roenick for
doing "everything that he promised" and cited his leadership presence,
specifically how he holds his teammates -- and himself -- accountable.
"If he goofed up, he's the first guy in the
room to stand up," Ron Wilson said. "If you have one or two guys willing to do
that, the accountability of your team improves dramatically."
Etc.
Matt Carle, Sandis Ozolinsh, Alexei Semenov and
Tomas Plihal were the Sharks' healthy scratches. ... Sharks defenseman Brian
Campbell and left wing Jody Shelley each played his 400th game.
-- David Pollak, MediaNews staff
Copyright 2008
Contra Costa Times Newspapers