On This Day in Blackhawks History: January 7

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Jonnie Nonnie | Last updated 1/7/24

Here's a list of notable events on January 7 in Chicago Blackhawks history.

1987: Al Secord's Stellar Second Period

The Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs played a barnburner on the seventh day of 1987.

Trailing 2-1 after 20 minutes, the Blackhawks got a boost from Al Secord, who scored four goals in an 8:24 span during the second period.

Toronto responded with two goals in the middle frame to make things interesting, but Denis Savard's empty-netter in the game's final minute iced a 6-4 Blackhawks win.

Notable Blackhawks Birthdays

Brent Sopel, a sixth-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks in the 1995 NHL Draft, was born on January 7, 1977. The shot-blocking machine joined the Blackhawks when he signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract ahead of the 2007-08 season.

Sopel eventually signed an extension and scored 30 points (three goals, 27 assists) in 154 regular-season games with the Blackhawks. He added six points (one goal, five assists) in 22 playoff games with Chicago, helping the Blackhawks win the 2010 Stanley Cup.