Al Secord

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Position Left Wing
Shot Left
Height
Weight
ft 1 in (1.85 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Pro Clubs Boston Bruins
Chicago Blackhawks
Toronto Maple Leafs
Philadelphia Flyers
Nationality Flag of Canada Canada
Born March 3, 1958,
Sudbury, Ontario
NHL Draft Rnd 1, 16th overall, 1978
Boston Bruins
Pro Career 19781990

Al Secord (born March 3, 1958 in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada) is a retired professional ice hockey left wing who played in the National Hockey League for twelve seasons from 1978-79 until 1989-90. He called Espanola, Ontario his hometown.

[edit] Career

Secord was drafted 16th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. He made the Bruins roster as a 20-year-old, scoring 16 goals and adding seven assists. He improved to 23 goals in 1979-80, but after failing to score in his first 18 games the following season, he was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks on December 18, 1980, in a trade for defenceman Mike O'Connell. O'Connell would later succeed Harry Sinden as Boston's general manager.

It was in Chicago where the feisty Secord enjoyed the best years of his NHL career. In 1981-82, playing alongside the likes of future hall-of-famer Denis Savard, he burst forth with 44 goals in 80 games. He was also assessed 303 minutes in penalties, making him the only player in NHL history to record 40 goals and 300 penalty minutes in a single season.

Secord joined the 50-goal club in 1982-83, posting 54 goals and 32 assists for a career-high 86 points and played in the NHL all-star game for the second consecutive season. But injuries began to take their toll. He played just 14 games in 1983-84, and it took him two full seasons to regain his scoring touch. Secord responded with a 40-goal campaign in 1985-86, but after a 29-goal season in 1986-87, Secord was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a blockbuster trade on September 3, 1987. Secord and Ed Olczyk went to Toronto, while Rick Vaive, Steve Thomas and defenceman Bob McGill headed to the Windy City.

Secord spent two unremarkable seasons with the Maple Leafs, and was sent to the Philadelphia Flyers midway through 1988-89 for a fifth-round draft pick in 1989 that the Buffalo Sabres eventually used to select defenceman Keith Carney.

Secord re-signed with Chicago as a free agent and finished his NHL career in 1990, scoring 14 times in 43 games. He retired from pro hockey until 1994, when he returned to play two seasons with the International Hockey League (now American Hockey League) Chicago Wolves. He also played a season of roller hockey with the Chicago Cheetahs

Secord played 766 career NHL games, scoring 273 goals and 222 assists for 495 points and registered 2093 career penalty minutes.

He is now a pilot with American Airlines.

He has three sons, one, Ryan, who attends Michigan State University, Alec and Jake.