When Chris Drury was elected to Team USA, Jeremy Roenick was, for lack of a better phrase, appalled:

“Not to take anything away from the guy because he’s had such a great career, but for Chris Drury to be on the team, it baffles me,” Roenick told Toronto radio station AM640.

“I know he’s a great leader and if he’s captain of the team, he’ll be a great captain, but I just don’t see him being as good for the team as a guy like Gomez would be or T.J. Oshie. Oshie would bring so much energy to this team and this type of format in an international event, that I don’t understand how those two guys aren’t on the team.”

Now, after the US victory over Canada and the #1 overall seed in tournament play, Roenick is changing his tune. He has issued an apology:

I think being in New York, I owe a huge apology, both in the New York area or across the country, to Chris Drury, who I said probably should not have been there, here in the Olympics. [He’s] been a monster for Team USA. He’s been one of their best players. I’ll eat crow when crow needs to be eaten. This is my national apology to Chris Drury. He’s just been a great, great hockey player

Team USA is the youngest in the tournament, and a veteran like Drury, who has participated in a few Olympics before, is essential to help guide the youngsters as the team focus shifts into a new generation, headed by Zach Parise, Drew Doughty (I meant Jack Johnson, oops), and Ryan Miller.

The young guns have a solid chance of earning a medal, as the qualifying round begins tonight.

Share: 

Mentioned in this article:

More About: