Jeremy Roenick blasts Ilya Kovalchuk on Twitter

Jeremy Roenick has facts *and* opinions to share about Thursday’s big NHL news.

by James Pennington

Jul 11, 2013, 9:56 PM UTC

Christian Petersen

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Ilya Kovalchuk retires from NHL

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New Jersey Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk announced on Thursday he is retiring from the NHL and walking away from the final 12 years and $77 million on his contract to play in Russia. The announcement was stunning, but no one was more surprised and offended than Jeremy Roenick.

The former NHL superstar took to Twitter, as folks are often wont to do, to voice his opinion shortly after Kovalchuk made his announcement.

Studiest thing iv heard since Aaron Hernandez .. Kovalchuk retiring !!! Is he out of his mind??? Something is fishy
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) July 11, 2013

(Unless Roenick is speaking in reference to a different “Aaron Hernandez,” here’s a reminder of what the assumed subject has been charged with.)

Uwill all see now why I have talked negatively about kovalchuk !!! He doesn't want to play for the devils and he'll end up in the KHL!!!
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) July 11, 2013

Kovalchuk is as selfish as they come!!!! I'm appalled. I feel bad for all u devils fans. U deserve better than that!!
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) July 11, 2013

I am shocked that kovalchuk would do this to the devils and their fan base!!! Devils lose so much w this decision it's scary!!! Selfish !!!!
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) July 11, 2013

I'm so irate right now. I feel bad for Lou lamoriello. Gave a 100 million dollar contract to a player who has no care for the NHL!
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) July 11, 2013

Hey Ilya hope u live comfortably in Russia w the money u made from the 23 million u stole from the devils Again I'm right in my analysis
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) July 11, 2013

As can be assumed of someone who has 197,000 followers, plenty of folks replied to Roenick’s diatribe with thoughts of their own. And as can be assumed of someone who is named Jeremy Roenick, he responded to many of them with equal vigor and vitriol.

@IAmDickie709 u r so on some sort of drug bro. He sucks
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) July 11, 2013

Sick burn, bro.

@jfbannister hey JORGE !! U obviously don't know anything about me!!!
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) July 11, 2013

@morgasmtheory ya u have a brain!!!! Not!!! What a douche u r
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) July 11, 2013

A pattern has emerged. Roenick's argument, across the board, seems to be no deeper than, and I'm paraphrasing: "You suck." He is consistent, so there is that.