“My face blew up bigger than a pumpkin.”
That’s how hockey star turned NBC analyst Jeremy Roenick described the first time he broke his jaw thanks to an errant shot by Boris Mironov. That moment broke his jaw in 23 places ... and no, you didn’t read that previous sentence incorrectly; that was merely the first time JR broke his jaw.
The second provided the grisliest visuals, as Derian Hatcher made Roenick pay for a hit on Mike Modano. Roenick explained that he tried to keep going during a 5-on-3 to stick it to Hatcher and the Stars, but ... well, that’s where it gets gross.
In a twist that’s very “hockey,” Roenick and Hatcher would become teammates for the Flyers during an alumni game at the 2011 Winter Classic:
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 31: Mark Messier #11 of the New York Rangers with Jeremy Roenick #97 and Derian Hatcher #2 of the Philadelphia Flyers after the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game on December 31, 2011 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Hey, at least it made for a good story and some mildly scarring images.
(Holds own jaw in sympathy pain.)
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James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.
