Jeremy Roenick -- Attacks Live Alligator ... Somehow Cheats Death

Here's hockey legend Jeremy Roenick screwing with a live alligator -- attempting to JUMP on the animal -- and somehow escaping with his life.

It's an insane piece of video posted by Sportsradio 94WIP morning show contributor Rhea Hughes ... in which the retired NHL star creeps up behind the gator ... and then lunges at it.

Unclear when or where the video was shot -- but holy crap, dude could have been seriously messed up had the alligator decided to stay and fight instead of slither away.

Chubbs Peterson would not approve ...