Roenick: Tippett epitomizes class
May 12, 2012, 3:48 AM | Updated: 5:07 am
Jeremy Roenick, former Phoenix Coyote and current
analyst
for the NBC network joined Arizona Sports 620’s Doug &
Wolf Show Friday to talk about the team’s success so far
in the post season.
“They’ve done so much to bring awareness into the Valley,
into the game and into their team,” said Roenick. “Their
PR staff in fantastic, the job [General Manager] Don
Maloney has done to bring the right players to the team,
and the job Dave Tippett has done in coaching them has
been fantastic.”
Roenick went on to talk about Tippett, and the success he
has had since being let go by the Dallas Stars after the
2008-2009 season.
“It was kind of weird that they did let him go in Dallas,
because he did a very good job there,” said Roenick.
Dallas failed to make the playoffs for the first time
since 2002, which was also Tippett’s first year with the
team, and they had four seasons with 95 or more points in
his six as coach.
“He epitomizes class, he epitomizes knowledge. He’s a
hockey guy, and he’s a respectful guy; I know the players
love playing for him.”
The Coyotes begin the Western Conference Finals on Sunday
against the Los Angeles Kings, who defeated the Vancouver
Canucks and then the St. Louis Blues. Roenick said that
the biggest difference between the Kings
and Coyotes is that the Coyotes have made it this far
without
really being given a “superstar” player.
“He [Tippett] does a fantastic job for a team that doesn’t
have any superstars; he’s been able to create a couple of
stars with the way he has treated them in Phoenix,”
Roenick said.
The Coyotes have quickly risen in popularity across the
Valley due to their extended run in the playoffs, which
Roenick pointed out is the first real run the team has
made.
“This is the first time that Phoenix has really witnessed
what real playoff hockey is like,” Roenick said. “They’re
seeing why hockey is such a dynamic sport; why it’s so
popular.”
Roenick added that as the team continues its’ quest for
the Stanley Cup, he hopes the run is enough to bring
people back next season.
“Every time I watch television I see the fans and I see
the building is full now. I see the fans with their faces
painted, they’ve got their beer raised, they’re hooting
and hollering and having a blast,” Roenick said. “I hope
they remember that when the season starts next year.”
