Blackhawks sign Hossa during free agent shopping spree

By Steve Keating

TORONTO (Reuters) - The Chicago Blackhawks went on a free agent shopping spree on Wednesday signing high-scoring winger Marian Hossa to a 12-year deal that signaled they are ready to challenge for a Stanley Cup.

Just hours after the free agent signing window had opened at noon EDT (1600 GMT), the Blackhawks had their wallets out, luring Hossa away from the Detroit Red Wings with a contract worth $62.8 million according to local media reports.

Hossa was joined in the Windy City by fellow Slovak and Red Wing team mate Tomas Kopecky, who signed a two-year deal.

"To add Marian, an elite and world-class player, and Tomas, a Stanley Cup champion, to our exciting young core reinforces our commitment to try to win the Stanley Cup," Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon said in a statement.

Hossa, who led Detroit with 40 goals last season, brings a veteran scoring touch to a dynamic young Chicago team that made it to the Western conference finals this year before falling to the Red Wings.

It is the third team in as many seasons for the 30-year-old, who has played in the last two Stanley Cup finals but is yet to win a championship.

In 2008, Hossa was a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins who lost the title to Detroit.

The four-time all-star jumped to the Red Wings last season believing it was his best chance to hoist the Stanley Cup, only to lose the final to his former team the Penguins in seven games.

Taken with the 12th overall pick by the Ottawa Senators in the 1997 draft, Hossa has 339 goals and 719 points in a career that has also included a stop in Atlanta.

Kopecky brings some grit to the Chicago attack dishing out 109 hits for the Red Wings last season while chipping in with six goals and 13 assists.

(Editing by Alison Wildey. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)