Numminen, Roenick To Retire

We can add the names of two more NHL veterans who have played their last games.

Teppo Numminen

• Numminen To Retire - James Mirtle
  
• Sabres' Numminen walks away as all-time great - NHL.com
• Numminen Retires After 20 Years - The Hockey News

I think anyone who has watched Numminen over his NHL career has a great respect for his ability and competitiveness. He did not get a lot of press or accolades, but he really has been one of the top defensemen in hockey over the past couple of decades.

Even though I can not read most of it, I find the chatter amongst Finnish websites impressive. The Finns definitely held Numminen in the highest of regards, and well they should have.

Jeremy Roenick

• Shark's Roenick Will Retire - SJ Mercury News
• A Lifetime of Memories - Mike Chen
  

This one is not quite official. Given that Roenick has been reportedly close to retiring before, perhaps we should wait for the official news.

I'm glad Roenick did not retire before he joined San Jose. Had he retired at that point I would have remembered him as a washed up, publicity seeking side show. He really impressed me in SJ, especially in 2007-08 when he dumped sweater #97 and returned to #27, and when he scored 14 goals, an amazing 10 of them being game winners.

Just for fun, The Hockey News listed the Top Ten Jeremy Roenick quotes.