Gray Remembers Meeting JR

This story will probably overlap a lot with one that Mina could, and probably should, tell, but it is what it is.

Two summers ago I heard that JR was coming to the Sharks. Knowing his reputation, and with the story of him going to get a steak during a game that he was a scratch for still fairly fresh in my mind, I was a bit concerned. I might have been relatively new to fandom, but I knew JR's reputation for running his mouth and creating a bit of controversy. I also knew he hadn't been playing to his potential the past few seasons, and I was concerned that his signing might be more of a burden than a boon for Team Teal. Mina and I discussed this at length, and at some point I decided that if DW saw something in him, then it was there and it was better to just not worry about it. Doug says he'll behave, alright, he'll behave.

Teal and White rolls around. (the Sharks v Sharks preseason game played before final rosters are set. It's purely for the fans but it's a great time) It's the first chance I have to attend and I am super psyched. Wandering around, we see autograph lines wrapped around the main concourse for the bigger name players; Joe Thornton, Patty Marleau, etc. We decide to hit the shortest line and get autographs from Seto (not yet on the team), two or three other players I can't remember who aren't playing in SJ now, and JR. JR?! At this table? What?!

JR was the nicest guy in the row. The others were new to this level of fan support and turn out and were a bit shell shocked. Not rude, just, well, overwhelmed. But JR, JR was talking to everyone that walked by. He had a huge smile on his face and you could tell he was genuinely happy to be in San Jose. Ever concern I had about him coming to SJ left me at the point.He was animated and very cordial with all the fans who went past him. My turn came, and I welcome him to San Jose and told we were happy to have him. He lit up and thanked me, and said he was really happy to be here. That moment was small, but it totally sold me on JR. I'll let Mina fill in her side of the story, because it's even better and goes a long way to help explain our fondness for number 27. He played so well that season, it just cemented his place here as a fan favorite. His game 7 performance against Calgary was insane.

I have a Roenick jersey in my closet now, and despite his retirement I plan to wear it often this coming season.

He was only here for 2 seasons, but San Jose loved those two seasons we got.

Thanks JR!

-Gray

JR's Press Conference

Twitter is borked, so we can't tweet about this. We'll have much more later on today. Stories about JR as a Shark and while we'll miss him.

M. Lemieux Annouces His Retirement

Working the Corners has the details. Reaction to come shortly posted.

Update:
Official Sharks article here. I hadn't realize he hadn't official retired back in '03. As a reminder, I wasn't watching hockey in '03. If I had been, I'd have been watching the Ducks or the Kings, and the world would be a darker place.

But I digress.

I think we all knew from the moment he signed with the China Sharks that he would, if at all possible, be up with the big club at some point. I'm still not sure what DW saw in him that warranted such a promotion, but he worked for it, and by all accounts was a huge boon to the WorSharks. When he did make it all the way back up, I really wanted to see it work out for him. He's here, and it'd be a helluva story, so why not cheer the guy on? Unfortunately, it was not in the cards, as Lemieux was sidelined with injuries and illness.

Not only did such long breaks in his play not entirely endear him to some fans, he was seen as taking up space someone else could have been better used in. But as confusing as a move as it may have been, I wasn't going to crap all over the guy for taking a chance to come back. He came so dangerous close to scoring a few times and you could tell that he still had the skill and drive, but the game had changed since he'd last taken to the ice, and his bite had lessened with age. He did try though. I don't think we can accuse him of not wanting to succeed. My hope was that should he find himself down with the NHL at the end of this season (and I figured he might, one way or another), that he'd stay to work or skate with the WorSharks.

The Sharks article says M. Lemieux would like to couch one day. I could see that happening, just one particular city. ;)

And with this announcement, thus ends Gray's great run with calling him "le mew" and picturing this:


No offense intended, M., I just have a nasty habit of leaving that second E out of you name when I type it, so I made a nickname of sorts. Many Sharks have them. It's because I like you. <3