By Michael Duca PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

September 25, 2007

SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) -- The scar next to his right eye, and the one a little higher on the forehead, tell you this is a hockey player.

The light dusting of gray at the temples and the sun-worn creases at the corner of the eyes let you know this is a hockey player who, although not at the end of the road, can see it from where he's standing.

The 1,252 career games and 1,170 points, including 495 goals, tell you everything, and nothing, about Jeremy Roenick.

Roenick signed a one-year deal with the San Jose Sharks for about $500,000 just a few months after texting the Philadelphia Inquirer to announce he was retiring. Just five goals shy of becoming only the third American-born player to reach the magic 500 milestone, it's all about the numbers, right?

Not so, Roenick says.

"I was content on leaving the game at 495," he stated. "Is it special to me? Absolutely. Is it important to me? Not really. Would it be an honor? It would be one of the biggest honors I can think of in hockey.

"I am not playing this year so I can score 500. I wouldn't have gone to a team that did not have a chance to win a Stanley Cup, even with those five goals sitting out there."

The 17-year veteran, who turns 38 years old in January, is ready to help the Sharks in any way they ask - something he may not have been willing to do a few years ago.

"As you get older, you have to be able to accept new roles," he said. "You have to be able to accept your body not being able to do the things it was able to do when you were young and energetic. The last two years have been very humbling for me."

Those two years were in Los Angeles and Phoenix, respectively, and clearly were the least productive of Roenick's career. He had averaged a point per game prior to that stretch but produced just 50 points in combined 128 games with the Kings and Coyotes.

One of the new roles for Roenick is to be a teammate, not a team leader. He describes his passion for the game as "immense" but is extremely happy to play for a team that does not need a catalyst and is not looking for his name to sell tickets.

"I'm coming in here to help the San Jose Sharks win the Stanley Cup and to be part of a winning organization," he said. "To be a great teammate and to blend in."

Roenick has been known throughout his career as the go-to guy for a quote or a sound byte, so exactly what does blending in mean to him?

"It means I'm not going to come into their arena and have the media look for me first," he explained. "I can guarantee right now that will not happen. As the year goes, the only time you will hear Jeremy Roenick is on the scoresheet, and maybe a quick quote after the game when we play well."

Roenick clearly cares about his legacy in the game. He wants, like so many players who have been denied their day with the Cup, a championship, but he also wants to be remembered well.

When it was suggested to him that people probably would be more likely to forget him because of the last two seasons than remember him for them, his response was not feisty or sharp, but measured and thoughtful.

"Very good point," he said. "(That's) another reason why I'm motivated, at 38, after going through the punishment in my career and putting my body through what I have in my career."

Things often come full circle in life. Roenick's first roommate with the Chicago Blackhawks was Doug Wilson, whom Roenick holds in the highest regard.

"Willy and I are very good friends," Roenick said. "I will tell you this - there's not anyone I respect as a person more than I do Doug Wilson."

The feeling apparently is mutual, because when Roenick's agent put out a feeler to the Sharks late in the offseason, Wilson responded quickly and positively.

Roenick's passion is on full display when he talks about this final opportunity for a championship.

"I'll break every freakin' bone in my body if I have to to make sure (Wilson) is happy with the effort I give," Roenick said.

And it's not just being in the league or being with a good team. It's also being in San Jose that matters to the Boston native.

"This place (HP Pavilion) is not just the noisiest building in the league, it's adrenaline-filled," Roenick said. "This is a respectful group of hockey fans, energetic, welcoming me to the area, but respecting our space. The energy in San Jose is great, and that's exciting to me.

"And best of all, I don't have to be the one that goes out to electrify them. Joe (Thornton) and Patty (Marleau) and Cheech (Jonathan Cheechoo) already do that. No, they get to electrify me, and that just might allow me to electrify them, too."