Claude Lemieux (32) played 32 games for the Stars in 2002-03. (Ric Francis/Associated Press)

The San Jose Sharks announced Monday that they have signed forward Claude Lemieux to a two-way contract.

Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said Monday the club signed Lemieux, 43, but would not disclose details of the deal.

A two-way contract allows the club to move a player to the AHL affiliate, where the player makes a different salary than with the NHL club.

"This is simply the next step in the evaluation process with Claude," Wilson said.

Lemieux signed a tryout contract with the Sharks AHL affiliate in Worcester, Mass., on Tuesday.

He must still clear NHL waivers, and Wilson said that if he does, he will be assigned back to Worcester.

Lemieux played twice last month for the China Sharks, San Jose's pro affiliate in the Asia League.

"I would like to thank [Worcester general manager] Wayne Thomas and the Worcester Sharks for the opportunity to show I can still play this game at a high level," he said.

Lemieux won four Stanley Cups, but he hasn't played in the NHL since 2002-03.

The Buckingham, Que., native amassed 379 goals and 406 assists for 785 points with 1,756 penalty minutes in 1,197 games over 21 NHL seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Stars.

Lemieux, a longtime friend of Sharks general manager Doug Wilson, won Stanley Cups with Montreal (1986), New Jersey (1995, 2000) and Colorado (1996).

In 14 games with Worcester, Lemieux has posted six points ( two goals and four assists).