By PAUL BETIT

MaineToday Media, Inc.

Defenseman Eric Weinrich hasn't inked a professional hockey contract for the 2007-08 season, but he's an acting as if he will return to spend another AHL season as a Portland Pirate.

"I've pretty much approached it like it's going to happen," said Weinrich, an 18-year NHL veteran who came out of retirement to join the Pirates as a player after serving the first half of last season as an assistant coach for the AHL team. "The hints I've received are pretty much like I'm going to play, so I'm going to be as ready as I can be when it comes time."

The signs are the Anaheim Ducks want to have Weinrich back on the roster of their AHL affiliate.

"There's not much he hasn't seen in his career," Portland coach Kevin Dineen said. "He's been traded. He's seen slumps. He's dealt with injuries. He's run the gamut of emotions. He's a great resource for our guys to have."

Weinrich and Dineen were both at Hadlock Field on Tuesday night to participate in the 3rd annual Celebrity Softball Challenge to benefit the Maine Children Cancer Program.

"As a coach and player it was a very unique year for (Weinrich)," said Dineen, entering his third year as coach of the Pirates. "He's kind of got that personality where he was able to grasp all the roles."

Weinrich, 40, made it clear he's not interested in playing for any team other than the Pirates.

"I want to play here because I'm home," he said. "I'm with my family. If somebody offers me a contract somewhere else, I wouldn't want that."

Weinrich grew up in Gardiner and played at North Yarmouth Academy and the University of Maine.

During a pro career that began in 1988 with the old Utica Devils of the AHL, Weinrich played in the NHL for the New Jersey Devils, Hartford Whalers, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues and the Vancouver Canucks. In 36 games with the Pirates, Weinrich had two goals, 14 assists and plus-minus rating of minus-seven.

"We look at the development of guys like Brian Salcido toward the end of the year when he was paired when he was paired with Eric, so it's a positive thing to have him as part of our mix," Dineen said.

Weinrich hopes to work out a minor-league contract with Anaheim soon.

"I've talked with Bob Murray a little bit, and (the Ducks) were happy with the way things went when I was playing," he said. Murray is Anaheim's Director of Hockey Operations. "They felt the young guys and I had a good relationship. Maybe, I have a little value that way."