Jeremy Roenick Signs With Sharks
 

San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has signed Group III unrestricted free agent center Jeremy Roenick to a one-year contract.

“Jeremy Roenick is a tremendous competitor and he has a great love for the game of hockey,” said Wilson. “We feel he can add something to our talented group of players on our club and we feel that this is an environment where Jeremy can be successful.”

Roenick spent the 2006-07 season with the Phoenix Coyotes, where he was tied-for-fifth on the team in scoring with 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists).

“I’m very thankful for this opportunity to play for the San Jose Sharks,” said Roenick. “They have a great team and I look forward to helping this group compete for the Stanley Cup.”

The nine-time NHL All-Star enters the 2007-08 season just five goals shy of 500 and would become just the third U.S.-born player to achieve the feat (Joe Mullen and Mike Modano).

In 1252 NHL games with Chicago, Phoenix, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, Roenick has posted 1170 points (495 goals, 675 assists), along with 1413 penalty minutes and a +162 plus/minus rating.

Among all players in NHL history, Roenick ranks in the top 50 in goals (41st) and points (T-44th) and is 51st in assists.

All-time among all U.S.-born players, Roenick ranks third in points, third in goals and fifth in assists. He is the only player in NHL history to lead his team in goals, assists, points and penalty minutes in two different seasons (1999-00, 2000-01 with Phoenix).

Roenick, 37, was originally selected in the first round (8th overall) in 1988 NHL Entry Draft by Chicago.

Didn't see this coming. I guess he really wants 500 goals.

Im glad to see he's got enough fire in his belly to go after that 500 goal milestone. Im even more happy to see he's actually been picked up and given a legit chance on a roster to finish it off. Heck maybe in retrospec if he buddies up with the rest of the guys on the sharks it'll be quite a positive momentum boost when he finally does accomplish this feat. Not a gamebreaking sign but IMO a positive one.

I knew this attention hungry whore would never retire.

I already know his stat line this year: GP 62 G 6 A 3 Pts. 9 Controversies: 2 large and one small.

Los Angelas, Pheonix and now San Jose...Roenick loves being in the sun.

wow, this was unexpected.

Not realy,His pension probably doesnt pay enough to cover his gambling debts! :D

It allows him to get drunk faster.

Wow... cant say I seen this signing coming, at all.

Not sure why the Sharks, with all their veteran leadership, skill and depth would need him...

theres a few spots on their bottom lines for Roenick to fit in. this came as a bit of a shocker though. maybe hes going for a cup this year as well. San Jose seems like a good fit for him. Hes got nothing the lose, and neither do the sharks by signing him.

What the ****

Well, he should hit the 500 plateau, even if it's just barely. I wasn't expecting anyone to pick him up, but I guess for the cheap price San Jose was willing to give him a shot on their roster.

Good for him, he deserves a chance to reach the milestone. He has been basically the most recognizable face around the NHL for the past 10 years. He gives the NHL a good name, he's the type of player that we can all respect. But as for now, he doesn't really have much gas left in the tank, I'm not sure where he'd fit in San Jose, maybe a 3rd or 4th line center, he could possibly pick up 10-15 goals this year if he is healthy.

sharks are the youngest team in the league. they signed him for mainly grit and leadership. they dont have v-leadership besides grier and brown up front.

I am happy for JR. I was hoping some team would pick him up but at this point I figured it wasn't going to happen. It's nice to see him go to a place where he'll be on a successful team as well. I wonder if this officially puts an end to Mark Smith returning?