ON THE SIDELINES : Al Secord Returning to Blackhawks

The Blackhawks have signed veteran left winger Al Secord as a free agent, officials announced today. Secord, 31, will return to the Blackhawks after a nine-year absence.

He originally was traded to Chicago on Dec. 18, 1980, from the Boston Bruins in exchange for defenseman Mike O’Connell. During the 1982-83 season, he scored 54 goals, becoming one of only two Blackhawks to score 50 or more in a season.

Secord was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs along with Ed Olczyk on Sept. 3, 1987, for Steve Thomas, Bob McGill and Rick Vaive. He was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers at mid-season last year.