CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Defenseman Boris Mironov has accepted a one-year qualifying offer from the Chicago Blackhawks for the 2002-03 season.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Mironov had a rating of plus-15 in 64 games for the Blackhawks last season while recording four goals and 14 assists. He also registered 68 minutes in penalties.

Mironov missed nine games after dislocating his shoulder in Los Angeles on March 11. He also suffered a severe groin injury at the end of the regular season and played in only one of the Blackhawks' five playoff games.

"Boris' play last season returned to the level expected of him," Chicago general manager Mike Smith said. "His presence in our lineup was deeply missed in our playoff series against St. Louis last spring. If he continues his progress from last season, he can be a cornerstone of our defense."

Acquired by Chicago on March 20, 1999, Mironov has tallied 18 goals and 68 assists in 200 games for the Blackhawks. He has 67 goals and 208 assists in 585 career contests for Winnipeg, Edmonton and Chicago.