CHICAGO, July 27 -- Unrestricted free agent defenseman Chris McAlpine, who played for three teams last season, signed Thursday with the Chicago Blackhawks, who also re-signed veteran left wing Dean McAmmond and three others.
Terms were not disclosed for McAlpine, 28, who had two goals and two assists in 34 games last season with the St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning and Atlanta Thrashers.
The 6-foot, 210-pound defenseman broke into the NHL with New Jersey in 1994 but played only 24 games for the Devils and was traded to St. Louis in February 1997. He has four goals and 11 assists in 144 NHL games.
McAmmond, 27, signed a one-year, $1,127,500 contract and will return for his second full season with the Blackhawks. He broke in with Chicago in 1991, was traded to Edmonton and spent parts of six seasons with the Oilers before returning to the Blackhawks in a trade in March 1999.
Last season, the 5-11, 200-pounder had 14 goals and 18 assists in 76 games.
Chicago also signed journeyman defenseman Steve Poapst while re-signing defenseman Marty Wilford and left wing Casey Hankinson.
