Rob Blake wasn’t quite the fan favorite that Jeremy Roenick was, but he was one of the Sharks’s best shut-down defensemen in his two years here, despite him reaching 40 and his propensity for hooking and interference penalties (hence his nickname, “Captain Hook”). He was a leader for the Sharks in every sense of the word.

Here is a live blog of his press conference.

11:02 – Brodie Brazil and Dan Rusanowski introduce the press conference. Devin Setoguchi, Evengi Nabokov, Joe Thornton, and Patrick Marleau are all here. So is Mike Ricci. Also lots of Rob’s non-Sharks friends. Maybe I’m reading too much into this, but I’m taking the presence of the three free agents (plus Joe) as a good sign for their re-signing prospects. But that’s just me over-analyzing.

11:03 – Greg Jamison just used the phrase “rain on our parade” to describe Blake’s effect on the Sharks throughout the years while he was with the Avalanche and Kings. Now I have that song stuck in my head.

11:04 – Blake would have been a farmer if not for a hockey player. “It would have been a great farm.”

11:05 – Blake has 10th-most goals, 3rd-most power play goals among defensemen of all time. It was such a great moment when he passed Doug Wilson on the all-time list. Sort of a full circle moment – the first Sharks captain’s place in history had been surpassed by the current Sharks captain.

11:05 – “It took us about 5 years to convince him to come here, and it was well worth the wait.” Doug Wilson showing that he always targets guys for a long time before he actually gets them.

11:06 – DW is crediting Blake’s wife for all of his success, since he achieved most accolades after he got married. “Probably should have married her earlier.”

11:08 – Awww, DW is talking about Blake’s father and their mutual respect for each other. Also, DW just offered Blake a job. Well, he offered Blake’s wife to take Blake off her hands by giving Blake a job.

11:09 – Dan R just gave me a bit of a scare – “Now, let me introduce the captain of the Sharks -” Wait, they’re introducing the new captain now?!? “-Rob Blake.” Ohhhh, phew.

11:10 – Rob Blake just said it, so it’s official. “I am announcing my retirement.” The guy barely got through that statement.

11:11 – Make a wish!

11:11 – Very emotional moment for a guy who doesn’t wear his emotions on his sleeves.

11:12 – Telephone time! First up: Todd McLellan.

11:12 – McLellan is disappointed that he’s retiring. Blake definitely could have gone another year as a top 4 defensemen, easy. But McLellan said that he’s definitely going to tap into Blake as a resouce.

11:14 – Bob Nicholson (CEO of Hockey Canada) called in. Blake won gold in Finland and Salt Lake City, and so Nicholson is thanking him for his dedication to his country and Team Canada.

11:16 – Joe Sakic! Taping Sakic’s message off of a TV probably wasn’t the best idea.

11:16 – “I’m proud that I can say that I had an opportunity to play with Rob Blake.” Also told Blake that he’s going to love retirement, haha.

11:18 – Rob Blake highlight package. Still not a fan of the whole “recording off the TV thing.”

11:19 – There’s Blake’s famous hip check.

11:19 – Haha, probably a good third of the highlights are him scoring against/checking the Sharks.

11:20 – At least he was able to complete his career with a Cup. I hate that Roenick was never able to.

11:21 – Rob Blake didn’t go into the year thinking he would retire, but as the season went on, he knew he was going to.

11:22 – On what he is going to do: “I don’t know, I have to confer with my wife on that.” HAHA!

11:23 – He definitely wants to stay in the game, probably in a mangement role.

11:23 – Haha, a reporter asked him about stories that his teammates would rather not share. “We’ve been taking over this lifeguard tower in front of our house for the last couple of weeks.”

11:24 – “One of the more proud moments I’ve had was named captain here in San Jose.”

11:25 – Asked who he thinks should be the next captain. Sidestepped the answer, said that there’s a leadership group in the locker room.

11:27 – There was an extreme feeling of disappointment after this season. “It’s not rewarding unless you can build on it next year.” Players also understand that they need to put more work in for the Cup.

11:27 – LA Times on the phone. Asked about if he regretted not winning the Cup with the Kings. Let me answer for him: DUH.

11:28 – Credits Larry Robinson as a big influence on his game.

11:28 – NHL.com guy on the phone. Since Blake has been in California during it’s major growth period, he was asked about hockey in the Golden State.

11:29 – Blake talks about how the amount of hockey here would be unheard of when he started playing. Credits the Junior Sharks and Junior Kings.

11:30 – Haha, Blake has already been signed up as an assistant coach for his sons’ teams. Not quite head coach, though.

11:31 – “I think that Rob Blake is one of the classiest players that have ever worn the Sharks jersey.”

11:31 – “…and when the Sharks win the Stanley Cup…” HELL YEAH!

11:32 – Press conference over. He’ll be on Chronicle Live later tonight after the Giants game.

11:33 – Final thoughts: a lot shorter than Roenick’s press conference, and less goofy than JR’s laugh-fest with Tkachuck talking about how he was either going to be on Dancing with the Stars or a judge on American Idol. But the professionalism suits Blake – I’d be a little shocked if he did joke around more than he did – and it was a nice ending to such a great career.

Thank you, Blake, for being such a great player and a great captain for the Sharks. Your influence on the game, between your booming slapshot and lethal hip checks, will be missed. I know Vlasic is already missing you.

The best line in the NHL. That's right, an absolute statement. Just try and refute it.

Delayed live-blogging time! I was at the Emerald Bowl last night, so missed watching the game. Because it’s a game against the Ducks, I knew I had to watch it. So, here’s my live blog that’s not really live. If that makes any sense.

“There he is, the guy who was simultaneously put on a show, stood on his head, and was unconscious.” (Nabokov)

I like that there’s a “Ducks suck!” chant only 15 seconds into the game.

How far has Setoguchi fallen… on the fourth line, along with Mitchell and McLaren. Meanwhile, Ortmeyer is on the second line. I think we might have entered the Twilight Zone.

OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN! Pass from Thornton to Heatley, who fanned on the shot, which Patty tipped in. It marks his 300th career goal. Now, this may be a bit premature, but I could see him hitting the 500 goal mark during his career.

Fight! McLaren vs. Parros. Frazer lost, but he’s a rookie and the fact that he’s frequently fighting heavyweights like George Parros – and holding his own – is a good sign for the future. Plus, he’s not that bad of a hockey player outside of the fighting.

Talking about how Joe Thornton might be playing too many games, and how he maybe should take a few games off. This is the guy that played an entire season with a broken toe. I don’t think he will ever miss a game if he can help it.

Hmmm, Joe Thornton double shifting, playing with Mitchell and Setoguchi as well while McLaren is in the box. Interesting.

Ryan tried to hit Murray. He fell down.

Murray lost his stick, but still managed to kick the puck out and start the breakout from behind Nabokov. Things like that are why he’s on the Swedish Olympic team.

Setoguchi’s hit on Festerling was very nice. I like to see it as payback from when Festerling boarded Roenick and dislocated his shoulder.

Wow, Patty when from gliding behind the defense to breaking away in about three strides. The guy is amazingly fast.

First and second lines are absolutely buzzing. So’s the third and fourth lines, now that I think about it.

That ref just tripped over nothing, and then the puck that was already shot hit him. Ouch. He must have had equipment issues.

Penalty on the Ducks, and then a bunch of Sharks swarm Chipchura. I like it.

Thomas Murray looks like an intellectual, nothing like the wall that is Douglas Murray. Must be the reason why Murray got into Cornell.

OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN! AGAIN! Yet another tip-in goal, off a rebound from a shot by Heatley. And Heatley celebrated way before the puck went in – he just knew that Marleau was going to get that rebound and Giguere would have no chance. Either that, or he’s psychic.

Wooo, Murray flattened Perry with just a little shove. Love it.

Ohhh, I thought that shot off the post was in. It was almost there – maybe a millimeter more and it would have been.

“Heatley’s got it, and he’s got Nichol with him!” It’s like the polar opposite of players, haha.

Nice pass by Mitchell to Seto. Too bad Seto couldn’t settle it on his stick.

END OF FIRST PERIOD
Great job by the Sharks, got out ahead early and just sustained the pressure. They barely let the Ducks have any legitimate chances, and when there was a chance, Nabokov was that to make the save pretty easily. Complete opposite of the Hawks game.

So, Marleau-Thornton-Heatley needs to be a line on Team Canada. Preferably the first or second line. I honestly don’t see how anyone can say no to it.

SECOND PERIOD

Eating some gnocchi, so won’t be commenting as much.

That was a pretty play with Boyle – too bad that it didn’t result in a goal.

Awww, Huskins. Stupid plays like that are why we don’t like you.

I don’t like this PK that much. But great shift by Boyle.

And man, Joe Thornton played some great D there. Forced that Duck off the puck and then shadowed him all

HEATLEY! He had two guys guarding him, and yet he was able to get two shots off.

Drew, that’s not a high stick, because any contact with the face as a result of a follow-though on a shot is defined as not high-sticking.

So now Joe’s playing with the third line as well. Interesting.

“Anaheim has eight players on the ice!” Ahh, what happens during a line brawl.

Joe Pavelski got a penalty for roughing? That’s kind of amazing. I guess no Lady Byng for him.

CLOWE! KIND OF! Wait, no, NEIDERMAYER! He shot the puck, hit Wizneiwskie, and then hit Neidermayer’s skate and went in. He’s just getting all sorts of crazy goals, isn’t he?

MCGINN! 15 seconds later, McGinn just rips a shot behind Giguere, that’s all that you really need to know. Oh, and Neil Young is there. He’s probably the Sharks’ most prominent season ticket holder.

Goos sign from the Sharks, that right after they score the goal the very next shift they score another goal. Either that, or a bad sign from the Ducks.

Ducks keep falling. I’m thinking that they all have equipment issues.

BOOO. Chipchura scores on a break after he pushes Huskins down and takes the puck. Huskins, this is another reason why we don’t like you.

END OF SECOND PERIOD
Three goals always makes for a good period. Yeah, the last-minute goal by the Ducks is kind of a deflator, but there was still a lot of good done in that period. Heatley’s goal was the definition of a goal-scorer’s goal – I doubt anyone else on the Sharks would be able to get two good shots off that quickly.

Woah, that Weinershnitzel commercial was just wrong.

THIRD PERIOD

McGinn off for hooking. He got a goal, so not too mad about it. Also, Sharks have been absolutely clutch on the PK in this game. Actually, they’ve just been clutch on special teams. 100% PP, 100% PK.

BOOO. Bobby Ryan scores five-hole right after the penalty ends. Now 5-2.

I admit, I know that this is the final score for the game, so I’m going tune out a bit.

Ducks really pouring it on now – it’s almost like they can sniff their next goal. Which won’t come, but still.

Ortmeyer really is having a good game. He’s getting a few breaks, really driving towards the net, and getting shots off.

FIGHT! Nichol vs. Chipchura! Nichol is much smaller than Chipchura, but he’s the only one to land anything. Win, Nichol. “Scotty Nichol makes this officially Boxing Day!”

Marleau off for high sticking. So the two Sharks least likely to take penalties both take penalties in this game. Interesting.

I agree with Drew – the fourth line has played an extremely solid game tonight. It’s more like a second third line than a fourth line.

FIGHT! Ortmeyer vs. Beleskey. Not much of a fight, Ortmeyer gets the takedown by Beleskey gets the win.

Giguere was trying to see if Carlye would pull him with a minute left. Carlyle would not. Makes me laugh a bit.

“DUCKS SUCK!” chant out in full force. Love it.

SHARKS WIN!

I love that stick lift at the end, especially when the crowd roars in appreciation.

Three stars: 3 – Heatley, 2 – Marleau, 1 – Thornton.

Haha, Joe always looks like he’s having such a good time after the game. He’s such a happy-go-lucky guy.

Marleau is always so awkward in interviews. But he cracked up when they mentioned the “Slappy the holiday elf/dummy” commercial. Or, at least, cracking up for Marleau. Which is a smile and a small chuckle.

Joe Thornton has absolutely dominated the Ducks this year. I don’t think he’s gotten less than 3 points against them in any of the games they’ve played.

JR being JR before a Sharks game at Philadelphia.

As today is an important day in hockey history, with Jeremy Roenick hanging up his skates after 21 years in the NHL, I decided to live blog the press conference being held in HP Pavilion today.

11:01 - Press Conference Live started. Seems like a pre-game show.

11:02 - Ahhh, echo effect! Okay, they fixed it. It sorta looks like the State of the Sharks. But wow, lots of people.

11:03 - JR promises to talk a lot. I wouldn’t expect anything else.

11:05 - JR’s roommate was DW when he was 18. Not allowed on the scale before the draft since he was so small, he was scared he wouldn’t be drafted.

11:05 - Talking about Mike Keenan’s impact on him – that “crazy son of a bitch.” He’s already crying. Awwww.

11:07 - “Then Chicago got crazy and traded me.”

11:07 - Talking about how he had to help establish the game in Phoenix. Phoenix owner: “Good news! I just bought a house. Bad news, its right next to yours.”

11:09 - He was proud about playing for the Flyers. “And play for Mr. Schneider Who I gave a hug to when he signed me in 200. Not too often you see a player hugging an owner, which I seem to do quite often.”

11:11 - Uh-oh, lockout, LA, and second stint in Phoenix coming.

11:12 – Not apologizing about his play in LA. So happy to play with Robataille.

11:13 - After Phoenix: “Make a couple texts, say I’m retired.”

“And just when I thought it was all over, the great career, a career that I was really proud of, was leaving, and I wasn’t really able to say goodbye to it. And then Doug Wilson called me, I was in a golf tournament, and he asked me to fly down to San JOse and talk with him about maybe coming here to San Jose. I was a little bit overweight by twenty pounds. - Twenty-five. – Twenty-five.”

11:14 - “Doug Wilson and the San Jose Sharks gave me my life back… and most importantly, they gave me my respect back.”

11:15 - Mentioned Thornton, Pavelski, Setoguchi, and Mitchell – specifically mentioning mentor the kids and taking them under his wing. Says Thornton is one of his best friends.

11:15 - Gordie Howe dumped a bunch of snow on JR’s head back in 77 at a Whalers game. Coolest thing in JR’s life, and that moment stuck with him. Resonated his whole life. Since then, he has been trying to do little things to make the same impression on young children – tossing pucks, grabbing popcorn through photo holes, etc. “Don’t ignore them. Give them your time. Give them your energy.”

11:18 - He still loves the game, and still has passion for the game, but knows that he has to end his career.

11:19 - Says he was done talking, but then remembers he forgot to thank people and started talking some more.

11:20 - One of the 23 players to have 500 goals and 700 assists. Gotta be a HHOF member.

11:21 - That Game 7 was amazing. Truly an inspiration.

11:23 - It was how he played the game – Doug Wilson. “Greatest teammate they ever had.” “This is a guy that played the game the right way.” “The pilot light never went out.”

11:24 - “As unfiltered as JR can be sometimes and some of the things he says, it comes from his heart and he always backs it up on the ice.”

11:25 - JR went “all in” when going to San Jose.

11:26 - Compared JR to Ricci in being fearless, and being afraid for his safety just because he always went all-out.

11:27 - DW is now tearing up, which is something you never see.

11:29 - Greg Jamison was a bit hesitant about signing JR, but in a phone call: “I’ll keep my mouth shut. I’m here to play, I’m here to help.” After one year, went to JR and said he was a complete and total man of his word.

11:33 - Ahhh stupid CSN ticker is cutting off some of his highlights video. But man, is it amazing. I hope its on youtube after this, its really well put-together. Song is perfect as well.

11:33 - 6 goals in 6 career game 7s (t-2nd all-time). Amazing; did not know that.

11:34 - Weirdest 500th goal ever, hands down.

11:35 - Dave Ogrean on the phone, USA Hockey Executive Director. Talks about growing up in Boston and the effect of the Miracle on Ice. all-time leading scorer in the World Junior Championships

11:36 - A’s highlights. Great job, CSNBA!

11:38 - JR tearing up right now, really started crying when he heard Mike Modano on the phone.

11:39 - “I knew I had to keep my head up because I knew you were coming for us and trying to take my head off especially.”

11:40 - “Good luck in retirement, I know you’re going to enjoy it, I’m not too far behind, so I’ll be joining you soon.”

11:40 - JR thinks that Modano is the greatest US-born player of all-time, the phone call was the greatest thing ever. “I’m your biggest fan.”

11:42 – Keith Tkachuck on the phone now. “I hope I’m your second favorite player after Mike Modano.” “I love you man, I love you man!”

11:43 - So, Keith Tkachuk is absolutely hilarious. “So just be half as good as Jeremy and you’ll be fine.” Credits JR to helping establish Phoenix on and off the ice.

11:44 - “I can’t figure out what you’re going to do because its either a) Dancing with the Stars or b) you’re going to be the next judge on American Idol.” Got a big laugh.

11:45 - “It’s amazing on how many good lies you had in the woods.” I think Keith Tkachuck just established himself as one of my favorite non-Sharks.

11:46 - “Oh my god, I love you. I love you like my own brother.” “Well you should, you talk to me more than anyone.”

11:46 - Chris Chelios on the phone. He’s getting ready for next year. Finds it hard to believe that JR is retiring.

11:48 - It still amazes me that Chelios is just a year younger than my mom. Geez.

11:50 - “To see someone stand up to Iron Mike like you did as a young player was pretty special.”

11:50 - Haha, talked about JR’s comment about Babcock at the end of this season. Says he got into a bit of trouble from that, but he’s used to it.

11:51 - “Not golf. I hate golf so I won’t see you there.”

11:52 - “I might be retired, I just don’t know it yet.” Okay, Chelios is making me like him.

11:52 - “I call you on a daily basis, even if you don’t answer the phone.”

11:54 - Question time. But why does Kate Longworth have to be first? Why????

11:55 - JR doesn’t think he’s done with hockey. Thinks he might go into management, hopes someone will help him with that *glances at DW* Is thinking about Dancing with the Stars.

11:56 - David Pollak! Asks if he regrets saying anything. JR says that he always spoke from his heart, that he didn’t want to be cliched and generic, because the fans and the media didn’t want to hear that. JR kind of enjoyed being ripped by the media for his quotes.

He never said anything he regretted or would take back.

11:59 – “Whenever I meet someone, I have 2 minutes, I have a handshake, and I have an autograph.”

12:00 - Asked what advice he’d give to an aspiring hockey player – “Don’t be afraid to rock the boat, but do it with respect.” Talks about how teammates make you better, and having fun makes you a star. “Just enjoy it. It goes by really quick.”

12:01 - “I want to be remembered as a warrior.” He hated losing more than he likes winning.

12:02 - Talking about transforming himself as a player, helping the young guys like Pavelski, Mitchell, and Setoguchi. “Joe [Thornton]‘s not a young guy. He’s married and old.”

12:05 - Todd gets to talk, finally. One of his biggest concerns was dealing with JR, he didn’t know what he was getting into. Turned out to be a pleasue to coach, was passionate coming to the ice every day.

12:07 – HAHA JR has the piece of glass that deflected the puck into the goal for his 500th goal. That’s perfect.

12:09 - This past year, JR was soaking up everything, remembering everything.

12:10 - Jody Shelley! Uplink is kind of crappy, but still. All the way from Columbus is pretty special.

12:11 - Shelley talking about how JR just spoke how he felt, that he always told the truth.

12:12 - ROSS MCKEON SHUT UP ABOUT THE PLAYOFF FAILURES!!!

12:12 - I agree with Shelley that it hurt more not winning it for JR than it did just not winning it.

12:12 - Why must Kate be the one interviewing JR post-press conference? Why?

12:13 - JR says it was a great way to go out, but he wishes that he won the Stanley Cup; it will haunt him forever

12:14 - Really appreciates the time he spent in San Jose, he never thought he would get the amount of support he did – its akin to the support in Chicago and Philly.

12:16 - JR regularly hosts dinners for Devin Setoguchi and Torrey Mitchell. They’re going to miss his wife’s cooking. Hilarious.

12:17 - He knew that he should retire – both mind and body told time. He felt that not retiring wouldn’t be right, and he’d be taking away a spot from a young player.

12:18 - His first All Star game was very memorable – at the old Chicago Stadium during the Gulf War. All, the Olympics and winning the silver medal.

12:19 - He hopes that the San Jose fans appreciate his time in teal – don’t worry JR, we do. We really do.

12:20 - He was asked to host some shows, he thinks that the network (CSN) will try to rope him into a job. Right after it cuts to the studio, the anchor re-affirms that and says there will always be a chair available for him.

12:23 - The studio is now analyzing JR’s ability to hold his emotions in check. Once a sports analyst, always a sports analyst.

12:24 - McKeon thinks that broadcast won’t be enough; he sees Roenick as taking up a Ricci-like role in the front office, being close to the players.

12:25 - Press conference is over. Great job by whoever set it up; the speeches from JR, Doug Wilson, and Greg Jamison, as well as the phone calls from Ogrean, Modano, Tkachuk, and Chelios. Almost made me tear up a couple of times.