By DEREK VAN DIEST, SUN MEDIA
VANCOUVER SUN

October 4, 2007

The signing raised more than a few eyebrows.

In his prime, Jeremy Roenick was one of the best players in the NHL.

But his prime was a long time ago, and this summer it appeared the 17-year veteran was about to close the book on a his long, colourful, and at times, controversial career.

But former teammate and now San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson offered him a lifeline - a $500,000 one-year contract.

The big question was, why?

"He brings lot of experience," said Sharks head coach Ron Wilson.

"It's amazing how excited he is. For as long as he's played in the league, the one thing Jeremy has always been is enthusiastic. And he's got a real passion for the game.

"I think that can only be a plus for some of the younger people we have, to see someone entering his 18th season that is 37 going on 38 who still loves coming to the rink and practising every day."

On a team loaded with talent and with a number of promising rookies, it may be tough for Roenick to find a spot in the lineup on a nightly basis.

The two-time 50-goal scorer had just 11 goals and 17 assists with the Phoenix Coyotes last season.

The previous year he had 22 points with the Los Angeles Kings.

He's five goals short of the 500 plateau, and after spending the last two seasons with bottom-feeders, he's now looking at a legitimate chance to win a Stanley Cup - a prize which has so far eluded him.

"With the talent level from top to bottom here, I would be crazy to have the ego to think that I would come in here and take one of the top spots or one of the middle spots," Roenick said prior to last night's game against theEdmonton Oilers.

"This team is very secure in their lineup. It's up to me to work hard to get into it and, when I do, to make sure I stay in it."

Failure to get into the lineup last season prompted Roenick to leave the Coyotes during a game in Vancouver and watch the contest from a local restaurant.

The move did not sit well with the Coyotes organization at the time.

Yet with the Sharks, Roenick is willing to accept whatever role they give him.

"When I'm not in the lineup, I have to make sure to be a good teacher, a good booster, a good cheerleader and be a guy that can really help out some of the young guys," he said.

"Even Joe (Thornton) and Patty (Marleau), if they need someone to ask questions or if they're not pulling their weight and they need someone to give them a little kick in the ass and say we need more out of you.

"That's something I've never been afraid to do in my life."

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