September 4, 2007
MSNBC.com
Jeremy Roenick apparently isn’t ready to hang up his skates just yet.
Two months after saying he would retire, Roenick on Tuesday signed a one-year contract with the San Jose Sharks.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
“I’m very thankful for this opportunity to play for the San Jose Sharks,” Roenick said. “They have a great team, and I look forward to helping this group compete for the Stanley Cup.”
The 37-year-old Roenick, who is just five goals shy of reaching 500 for his career, told the Philadelphia Inquirer on July 4 that he planned on retiring.
However, the Sharks see something in a player who has seen his numbers steadily decline in each of the last five seasons. He struggled with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2006-07, recording 11 goals and 28 points in 70 games.
“Jeremy Roenick is a tremendous competitor and he has a great love for the game of hockey,” Sharks general manager Ron Wilson said. “We feel he can add something to the talented group of players on our club and we feel that this is an environment where Jeremy can be successful.”
The nine-time All-Star center amassed 495 goals, 675 assists and 1,413 penalty minutes during his 18 years in the NHL.
Roenick, who was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks eighth overall in 1988 and helped lead them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1992, also has played with the Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings.
Roenick trails only Mike Modano (507) and Joey Mullen (502) in goal-scoring among American players. He also played on two United States Olympic teams, winning a silver medal in 2002.