Retired NHL journeyman Jeremy Roenick was a special guest on The Price Is Right yesterday and while I have no idea why other than he was available, the whole thing was about as ass-backwards and uncomfortable as you can imagine, yet surprisingly fun. From Roenick getting his hug on with Lauren, the cute contestant who should call me, to his goofball fist-pumping, the former Blackhawk did a pretty good job, especially when it came to almost completely ignoring host Drew Carey. Their high five belongs in the White People Hall of Fame.

But for added comedy, Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin recorded separate video appearances and I can’t get through Crosby’s “We’re playing these guys ootdoors” without giggling like a stoned toddler. All in all, it’s a pretty solid performance by Roenick with bonus points for making a joke about his inability to win a Stanley Cup. Dan Marino would have thrown a hissy fit and broke the TV before wetting his pants and running off set.

Video clips after the jump…

(Special thanks to my homegirl Beeks from Geektress for sending me these clips.)

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The inspiration for one of the greatest video game athletes of all time is expected to announce his retirement tomorrow. Jeremy Roenick was one of the greatest Americans to ever play in the NHL; he’ll leave the game with 1,216 points, placing him third among U.S.-born players and 39th on the all-time list.

After breaking into the NHL during the 1988-89 season, Roenick was one of the original players incarnated in the Electronic Arts’ NHL video game series, starting with NHL Hockey in 1991. Roenick left his mark in other ways as well, whether it was voicing his opinions over the NHL lockout in 2004-2005 or appearing in an episode of TNT’s Leverage. He’s done TV analysis, too, and I think one time he killed a bear while having sex with your mom in 1997.

The San Jose Sharks didn’t seem too jazzed about keeping Roenick around; he turns 40 in January and second-year head coach Todd McLellan appears ready to part ways. Watching his team post the best regular-season record last year and then crapping out in the first round might have something to do with that. But Roenick was one of those guys that helped make the NHL a little more personable to fans with a great deal of charisma, much like Alex Ovechkin does today. and he leaves some mighty big skates to fill. Yeah, it’s the end of an era.

Jeremy Roenick may hang up the skates after this season, so what better time to look forward to JR's future acting endeavors (#7 on the countdown): 

He totally out acted Andre Braugher in that scene, don't you think?  I see a Golden Globe in JR's future for his starring role on Nash Bridges: Crime Scene Cold Cases.  And even if he decides not to trod the boards as a thespian, he has a future career as a stable boy already lined up.  -KD