Roenick gets new Shark deal

SAN JOSE - Jeremy Roenick agreed to a 1-year contract yesterday to return to the San Jose Sharks after his revitalizing comeback season with the club.

Roenick, a 19-year veteran, had 14 goals and 19 assists for the Sharks after coming out of semiretirement for another shot at the Stanley Cup. The nine-time All-Star became the third American-born player to score 500 career goals in early November, and the sometimes outspoken forward earned praise for his quiet veteran leadership and steady play.

Roenick, who finished second in the NHL with 10 game-winning goals, had a career-best four-point playoff performance in San Jose's first-round victory over Calgary in Game 7 before the Sharks were eliminated in the second round by Dallas.

Roenick, who played three seasons with the Flyers, all but confirmed he would return for his 20th season after the Sharks lost to the Stars in six games.

The Sharks didn't announce terms of his deal, but Roenick said 2 weeks ago that he expected to sign for about $1 million.

Roenick has played in 1,321 NHL games with Chicago, Phoenix, the Flyers, Los Angeles and San Jose. He has 509 career goals, ranking 36th in league history, and 694 assists. Among American-born players, he ranks second in career goals, third in points and sixth in assists. *