CHICAGO -- The Blackhawks signed All-Star defenseman Adrian Aucoin to a four-year, $16 million contract Tuesday, their first big acquisition under the NHL's new collective bargaining agreement.
The 32-year-old Aucoin will replace Bryan Berard, who wasn't tendered a contract by the Blackhawks.
"Adrian Aucoin was one of the top players we had targeted," Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon said. "He's a smart hockey player, logs lots of ice time, and is a solid two-way player who has an excellent shot from the point. He possesses excellent leadership skills and is a character player."
Aucoin said about half of the NHL's 30 teams had some interest in signing the defenseman, who averaged over 26½ minutes of ice time per game during the 2003-04 season. He chose the Blackhawks after being won over by Tallon.
"I liked what he had to say about where the team is going and what is going on in Chicago," Aucoin said. "And Chicago has always been one of my favorite cities."
Aucoin broke in with Vancouver in 1994-95 and also played briefly with Tampa Bay before joining the Islanders for the 2001-2002 season.
He has played in 602 career games with 83 goals and 162 assists.
Aucoin's experience and ability to move the puck and play at both ends of the ice made him attractive to the Blackhawks, who have a new GM and a new coach in Trent Yawney.
"We talked about the direction we're going in and how valuable he would be to us on and off the ice with our young kids," Tallon said. "He was high on our list."
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