Chris Chelios

Chris Chelios (born January 25, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois) is a defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL. He has earned many awards during his long career, and is considered one of the best Americans to ever play in the NHL.

He was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to being drafted, he played for the Moose Jaw Canucks of the SJHL. He played for two years at the University of Wisconsin after being drafted. In 1983, he was named to the All-Tournament Team and the Second WCHA All-Star Team. He made his debut for the Canadiens during the following season, playing twelve games in the regular season and 15 in the playoffs.

In 1984, he made the team for good, and distinguished himself with his play. He earned a trip to the NHL All-Star Game and was named to the 1985 NHL All-Rookie Team. He scored 64 points in 74 games, a high total for a defenseman, even in the higher-scoring 1980s. In the playoffs that year, he scored 10 points in games, and was +17. Although he only played 41 games in the 1985-1986 season, he won his first Stanley Cup, playing in front of Conn Smythe Trophy winner Patrick Roy.

Following two more good seasons, Chelios really broke out in the 1988-1989 seaon. He scored 73 points in 80 games, was +35, was named to the First NHL All-Star Team, and won the Norris Trophy. After he only played 53 games in the next season, on June 29, 1990, he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks with a 2nd round draft pick for Denis Savard, who is now in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

In his first season with Chicago, he continued to score at his usual rate, tallying 64 points, and earned a spot on the Second NHL All-Star Team. After a slightly less offensively impressive season (although he had a very good playoffs), Chelios was in top form for the 1992-1993 season. He scored 73 points and won another Norris Trophy. In 1996, he would win it again. All told, he won two Norris Trophys, was named to 3 First All-Star Teams and 2 Second All-Star Teams, and played in 6 All-Star Games as a Blackhawk.

By 1999, though, Chelios was starting to show signs of age. At age 37, his career was clearly in decline, and he was no longer the offensive and defensive force he had once been. However, even if he did not have much to offer the Blackhawks, he could still help teams with his veteran leadership and his largely-remaining talent. On March 23, he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings for Anders Eriksson and two first-round draft picks.

The move to Detroit, where he had fewer responsibilities and more skilled teammates, helped keep Chelios playing at close to his peak level. In 2002, his +40 led the league, and he was again named to the First All-Star Team. He also played a vital role in the United States's silver medal at the Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was named to the Tournament's All-Star Team. His season culminated in the Red Wings' victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals, giving Chelios his second Stanley Cup.

In 2004, due to the cancellation of the NHL season, Chelios, along with fellow Red Wing teammates Derian Hatcher and Kris Draper, decided to play hockey for the Motor City Mechanics, a minor league hockey team based out of Fraser, Michigan.

Chelios is rumored to be retiring soon, since at age 42 he is one of the oldest players in the league. If he does retire, he will surely be elected to the Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible. His 19-year career has shown that he can both score and play defense. He also plays with an edge to his game, as demonstrated by his 2695 penalty minutes. In his prime he combined his offensive skills with his physical edge to win 3 Norris Trophies. Over his career, he played in 11 All-Star games and was named to 7 NHL First or Second All-Star Teams. Even with his career tapering off, he has proved that he can play an important role for a Stanley Cup-winning team. All in all, Chelios has secured a legacy as one of the most decorated Americans to ever play in the NHL, and is considered by some to be the greatest American ever to play ice hockey.

External links

• Chris Chelios's statistics at tsn.ca (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/player_bio.asp?player_name=Chris+Chelios&hubName=DET)
• Chris Chelios's statistics at hockeydb.com (http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid%5B%5D=946)de:Chris Chelios