Interviews
Jeremy Roenick Talks NHL 09 And “Making Gretzky’s Head Bleed”
September 22, 2008
Almost 39, Jeremy Roenick is entering his 21rst year in the NHL. And yet the best American-born player in NHL history (510 goals) is probably better known for his feats as a video game character than a hall of fame hockey player. After all, it was a virtual JR in Swingers that Vince Vaughn used to take out Gretzky during a game of NHL 94. Not a lot of hockey fans can rattle off Roenick’s career stats but just about every gamer who ever played as the Blackhawks in NHL 94 has used Vaughn’s quote from the movie, “It’s not so much me as it is Roenick. He’s that good,” after scoring a goal with Roenick.
Roenick went on to grace the cover of Sega Sports’ NHL 2K3 and ESPN NHL Hockey 2K4 games when he played for the Philadelphia Flyers. And this summer, he came in at number 4 for IGN’s “Top 10 Athletes in Videogame History.” JR was on hand at EA Sports’ Vancouver studio to check out NHL 09 first-hand and provide mo-cap for NHL 10. Check out what he had to say about his upcoming season (his second with the San Jose Sharks), his take on video games and “making Gretzky’s head bleed.”
Das Gamer: Your Chicago Blackhawks game character was one of the most unstoppable game characters in history. How much do you keep up with your virtual skills in the NHL video games?
Jeremy Roenick: I get more people talking to me about my video game prowess than my regular NHL game prowess. I’ve had people who have come up to me and say, “Thank goodness for you. I got through college because I played Jeremy Roenick in the video games.” I think I’m like the fourth best ever athletes in videogame history, so that is definitely a claim to fame that I will use, especially with my son.
Did you have any idea you were going to “make Gretzky’s head bleed” in Swingers?
Jeremy Roenick: I didn’t have any idea about the Swingers scene before the movie came out, but Vince Vaughn, who’s a friend of mine, told me it was plainly just a respect deal. He wanted to show me some respect and put me in the movie. When I met him for the first time in a club in LA, he said, “Dude, I grew up in Chicago and I was a huge Roenick fan and I put you in that movie for respect, just because that’s how much respect I have for you.” That was really cool to hear him say that.
Are you a fan of the film?
Jeremy Roenick: Swingers is one of the greatest movies of all time, I think. It’s a classic. It created a whole new verbal language between kids, you know? “Baby, you’re money and you don’t even know it.”
4 Responses to “Jeremy Roenick Talks NHL 09 And “Making Gretzky’s Head Bleed””
Roenick across the crease in NHL ‘94 was an automatic goal. Lindros might have been better in the ‘97 game…at least on the virtual ice.
By pucked up on Sep 23, 2008
Mike Modano is the best American Player. 1st in Goals 1st in Points. Even in old age owns the Sharks. Even has got his ring with the team that drafted him and the hot semi celeb/popstar wife.
By Steven Besly on Sep 23, 2008
Trent and Sue were actually playing NHL 93 in Swingers. You could not make the players’ heads bleed in NHL 94.
By Dan on Sep 23, 2008
Steven Besly- nobody cares. Go away.
By Steve on Sep 24, 2008