Roenick apologizes

[Bronx33]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=116744

TSN.ca Staff with files

3/2/2005

The NHL Players' Association came out of its information session with its membership with a stronger resolve than ever, due in part to an apologetic Jeremy Roenick.

Roenick told The New York Post in Wednesday's edition that he blundered publicly in the weeks leading up to the cancellation of the NHL season by discussing talking directly to top league officials and questioning the union's direction.

"I felt I had to come," Roenick told The Post. "I'd been so vocal the last three weeks, and had made some glaring mistakes publicly, not so much in what I said, but how I went about it.

"It would have been unfair not to show up. I do care. I care a lot. I really do. We [players] are foes, but we are friends, too."

Roenick also told the paper that some of his fellow players made no secret of their anger.



Related Info
NHLPA: Get more hockey people involved
NHL Governors meet to plot strategy

"(Backlash) is not surprising," Roenick said. "I was very loud publicly, and you can't have that happen in times like these. Guys made very clear any problems they had. There were guys who were mad at each other. But that shows our strength and solidarity, that we can look each other in the eye."

"I didn't say anything detrimental toward us. I didn't try to negotiate anything. We have Bob Goodenow, and we - after today - know a deal is going to be done with Bob."

Roenick had publically called for a salary cap without linkage, a statements which reportedly upset many players.

Several newspaper reports also suggested that Roenick, along with Flyers teammate Robert Esche, St. Louis Blues defenceman Chris Pronger and Calgary Flames forward Jarome Iginla were part of a group that tried to independently put forth new ideas for a collective bargaining agreement.

Roenick said the meetings changed his mind.

"I had a lot of questions, and all my questions were answered," he said. "I came out of this with a different outlook, and a very strong feeling where everyone stands.

"It starts with knowing the issues. Guys came in here without knowing what was offered."

Files from the New York Post were used for this report.