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Bidding Drew adieu
Colorful
color man headed back to Saskatchewan
5/18/06 - By
Steve Flores
So finally it all comes to an end. A great run
was had. It was a thrill a minute and I think San Jose Sharks fans enjoyed
every moment of it. Of course, I am talking about the 2005-2006 season but I am
also speaking of Drew Remenda.
Remenda has been the Sharks television color commentator for 6 years now
working with the voice that is Randy Hahn. Remenda tendered his resignation
effective with the conclusion of the Sharks 2-0 game 6 loss to Edmonton in the
Western conference Semi-Finals. Prior to and during his time with the club
Remenda has also served as the radio color guy with Dan Rusanowsky and as an
Assistant Coach with the team. Remenda began his career with the Sharks in 1991
and he, quite frankly, had become the most recognizable face and proponent of
the team from a fans perspective.
Always affable and forever likeable, Remenda's personality was one of honesty
and integrity on air. He holds a passion for both life and for the game of
hockey that came across whenever I had the good fortune to listen to him.
The Bay Area is not the world's biggest hot bed of hockey passion. Other cities
(mostly in Canada and the Northeastern USA) have a richer, older tradition of
NHL ties and hockey lore. The Bay Area is a relative newcomer to hockey and,
until Drew's arrival, this area really hadn't found a voice to cling to in
regard to the sport.
The Bay is rich in broadcasting tradition having seen the likes of Bill King,
Lon Simmons, Greg Papa, Hank Greenwald, Ted Robinson and Al Michaels but none
of them worked hockey in the Bay Area.
Remenda had a style that actually made you interested beyond the game. He
brought a contest home to you and made sure you were entertained. Remenda had
and uncanny ability to keep us enthralled with a mid-season clash against the
Los Angeles Kings or would give us a reason to not change the channel if the
Sharks were getting eaten alive early in a 3rd period.
He is a pro my friends.
Remenda's 'Shark Byte's are near legendary in their ability to both teach and
give us all a different perspective on the team, the players and the game
itself. His repoire with Hahn was once in a lifetime and I wish good luck to
whoever has the truly difficult role of trying to replace him.
Remenda will be moving back to his hometown of Saskatoon where he can spend
more time with his wife and three kids as he should. The Sharks deserve credit
for trying various ways to keep the talented personality involved with the team
in some capacity but that was not to be. He leaves neither for money nor a
higher profile job with Hockey Night in Canada but for a far more important
reason: Family.
I have heard him in a couple of radio interviews since his announced
resignation and I know that he will miss both his role in the community here in
the South Bay as well as his identity as the face of the San Jose Sharks.
Not dead and never to be forgotten I, the Sharks and the fans of this team will
miss Drew Remenda.
Contact Steve at
stevybo@yahoo.com
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