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• Rankings: Who are the best American-born NHL players of all time?

There's some irony in Jeremy Roenick's retirement slipping quietly through the summer news cycle. One of the NHL's most outspoken players (born in Boston himself, he occasionally made Beantown adopted spokesman Curt Schilling seem recalcitrant), Roenick rarely did anything quietly during his 20 years in the league.

In other words, he'll fit right in as an American tourist abroad now that he has free time.

And Roenick's passport was always part of the story, because, frankly, there aren't many guys born on this side of the Canadian border who put up 500 goals in the NHL. The former Blackhawk, Coyote, Flyer, King, Coyote again and Shark -- a relatively stable career path by NHL standards -- retires third all time in goals for American-born players (although there's probably a small band of holdouts who insist he was born in Saskatchewan).

• Beyond the Nation: ESPN's Scott Burnside on Roenick's outspoken legacy.
• Groups: Flyers Crazy! | RED RISING | Hockey Fanatics

“

It's tough losing big names like Roenick, Sakic, and the likes, but time catches up with everyone. Roenick was a role player last year but not much more. It was time.

” -- kk1244

“

Man I loved playing as the Blackhawks in the early 90's hockey games. Roenick, Steve Smith, Chelios, Steve Larmer, Tony Amonte (pretty sure). I missed a few others.

” -- realsportsfanslivehere