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The 39-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Sharks.

"This is a great day for me," Roenick said. "I had the greatest career I could possibly imagine. My body can't do it any more even though my head and my passion are still in the game. I know, truly in my heart, it's time to leave the game."

Roenick ranks third among all American-born players in both goals (513) and points (1,216). He ranks 39th overall in points all-time.

Roenick is one of 24 players with at least 500 goals and 700 assists, and 17 of them are in the Hall of Fame.

He was a nine-time all-star and a two-time Olympian. Roenick scored his 500th goal in San Jose and then hoisted his son, Brett, on his shoulder and skated around the ice.

Many former NHL teammates, including Mike Modano, Chris Chelios and Keith Tkachuk called in during Thursday's announcement to extend their congratulations.

"He is one of the greatest hockey players to play this game," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said. "He played hard. He was fearless. He'd go through the wall. I've had guys come up to me and say he was the greatest teammate they ever had."

Roenick was playing golf when he received a call from Wilson asking about the possibility of playing for the Sharks.

"Sometimes friends come and save you," Roenick said of his former Chicago teammate. "Just when I thought that it was all over, Doug Wilson asked me to fly to San Jose and talk about playing for the Sharks. He asked me if I could still play the game and I told him I know I could still play."

A Boston native, Roenick made a huge splash in the league after a stint with Hull in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

He recorded 477 points over his first five full seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, including recording consecutive 50-goal seasons and collecting 100 or more points three years in a row.

Roenick scored 53 goals and 69 assists in 154 games with the Blackhawks, Sharks, Phoenix Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers in the Stanley Cup playoffs. His six goals in game 7s is tied for second all-time.

The right-winger went on to play for Phoenix, Philadelphia and Los Angeles before joining the Sharks.

The Stanley Cup has proven elusive for Roenick, who reached the final as a 22-year-old with Chicago.

Roenick thanked his wife and family for the sacrifices they had made. He also expressed his gratitude to former Chicago teammate and Sharks general manager Wilson for the opportunity to retire on a high note after disappointing seasons with Phoenix and Los Angeles.

Roenick has twice represented the U.S. hockey team at the Winter Olympics.

Known as one of the most colourful players in the league, Roenick has dabbled in broadcasting and acting when not on the ice.