Michael Jordan owns a big piece of it, and so does Mike Ditka. Walter Payton and Ernie Banks are lifetime shareholders in this lakefront real estate.
For others athletes, ownership of the city of Chicago and its fans is fickle and temporary. Jim McMahon once staked out the property. So did former Cy Young winner LaMarr Hoyt. But both have relinquished their holdings and moved on.
Now there seems to be a new tenant moving into Chicago`s heart. Jeremy Roenick has wasted no time making his mark, having scored 28 points in his first 32 playoff games as a Blackhawk.
If he can do this between the ages of 19 and 21, what might he accomplish when he matures? Comparisons with Wayne Gretzky may be silly, but this kid has all the earmarks of a great one in his own right.
”Jeremy could own this town in two years,” said teammate Mike Hudson, also a center.
That estimate may be on the high side, especially if Roenick can help bring the first Stanley Cup to Chicago in 30 years. He has done his share so far with two goals and four assists in the first two games of the Norris Division semifinal with Minnesota, including four points in the Hawks` 5-2 victory Saturday night at the Stadium.
The series now shifts to the Met Center, where Minnesota will try to regain the advantage after splitting the games in Chicago. Game 3 is Monday night and Game 4 Wednesday night.
How many 21-year-olds could make Chicago not even pause this season to wish that Denis Savard, one of the great offensive artists in the National Hockey League, wasn`t still on the Hawks?
Left wing Warren Rychel made the biggest splash Saturday, roaring out of the minors to score three points just a little more than 24 hours after he was toiling in anonymity in Muskegon, Mich., where his Indianapolis team had played Friday night in the International League.
But Roenick was the power behind Rychel, converting one of his shots into a goal and feeding Rychel a pass that was an easy shot for him to score on the power play.
Roenick again showed his true colors in the game`s last minute. He could have had a second goal, but he elected to pass to Steve Larmer and allow his right wing to fire the puck into an empty net.
”I think he`s the best young player in the league,” said Hawks veteran defenseman Bob McGill, who has seen plenty come and go. ”Joe Sakic (of Quebec) may be the closest competition he has for that honor, but Jeremy`s more of a complete player than Sakic.
”It`s unbelievable when you think about what he`s done at his age. He takes hits and gives hits and skates so well that he creates a lot of offensive chances.
”And he`s not cocky about it. He knows he`s good, but he backs it up. He doesn`t talk about being a great hockey player. He just goes out and shows everybody.”
Everybody took notice two years ago when the Hawks unexpectedly reached the Stanley Cup semifinals. Roenick, a year out of high school in
Massachusetts, was brought to the NHL playoffs after a season in junior hockey and hasn`t looked back.
He lost a couple teeth in his first playoffs, but he gained more than a few admirers. His reputation skyrocketed last year in the postseason when he set a Hawks rookie record with 18 points, including 11 goals. That was just three points short of the NHL playoff record, which is 21 points by Minnesota`s Dino Ciccarelli in 1981.
Pierre Page, who coached the North Stars last season, cited Roenick more than any other factor for why his club eventually lost in seven games of its opening-round series with the Hawks.
Roenick could be the difference again this season if he continues to play the way he has. Until his goal in Game 1 Thursday night against the Stars, he hadn`t scored a non-power-play goal since March 8 in Buffalo.
”A little down period is understandable,” coach Mike Keenan said. ”But it`s time for him to crank it up.”
McGill thinks the confidence Keenan has shown in the young player is one reason for his quick maturation.
”Mike gave him responsibility right from the hop, and Jeremy has lived up to it and is one of our leaders,” said McGill.
