TTM: Al Secord

   Al Secord is the only player in NHL history to score 40+ goals and have 300+ PIM in a single season.  In 1981-82, Al Secord scored 44 goals, and 303 PIM.  This was one season after Tiger Williams became the first NHLer to score 30 goals and 300 PIM in a season.  Secord started his career in Boston but never developed his scoring touch until he was traded to the Black Hawks in 1981.  Secord had his best seasons in Chicago while playing with Dennis Savard.  After becoming only the 2nd Black Hawk to ever score 50 goals, with 54 goasl in 82-83, Secord's career was sidetracked by injuries.  An abdominal injury forced him to miss all but 16 games in 1983-84.  1984-85 wasn't much better, as Secord only played 51 games.  Secord had one more star season in him as he scored 40 goals in 1985-86.  On January 7, 1987, Al Secord tied a NHL record by scoring four goals in a single period.  After stops in Toronto and Philadelphia, Secord returned to Chicago for one final season in 1989-90.  In his final NHL regular season game, Al Secord recorded a Gordie Howe Hat Trick.  Secord retired with 273 goals and 2,093 PIM.
  I never got to see Al Secord play much.  But I remember his reputation as a man to be feared.  Seriously, look at him in the picture below, would you want that man skating after you?  You'd likely rather have him as your pilot.  Mr. Secord flies for American Airlines for a living today.  I sent Mr. Secord, a card, 2 copies of a custom 79-80 OPC and a 2 copies of the Gordie Howe Hat Trick picture.  He kept a copy of the Gordie Howe Hat Trick picture and returned every else signed.  He personalized everything and has one of the nicest signatures I have received so far.  Thank you Mr. Secord.