| Chris Chelios | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hockey Hall of Fame, 2013 | |||
| Born | (1962-01-25)January 25, 1962 (age 63) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 191 lb (87 kg; 13 st 9 lb) | ||
| Position | Defense | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for | Montreal Canadiens Chicago Blackhawks EHC Biel Detroit Red Wings Atlanta Thrashers | ||
| National team |  United States | ||
| NHL draft | 40th overall,1981 Montreal Canadiens | ||
| Playing career | 1984–2010 | ||
Medal record | |||
Christos Konstantinos Chelios (born January 25, 1962) is an American former professionalice hockeydefenseman. He was a three-timeStanley Cup champion: one with theMontreal Canadiens and two with theDetroit Red Wings.
Chelios played for the Canadiens, Blackhawks,Detroit Red Wings, and theAtlanta Thrashers. When he was called up from theAHL'sChicago Wolves to play for the Thrashers during the2009–10 NHL season, Chelios was the oldest active player in theNational Hockey League (NHL) and the second-oldest of all time. He had played themost games of any active player in the NHL, was the last player from the1981 NHL Entry Draft still active (or anydraft from1986 and earlier), and had the most careerpenalty minutes of any active player. He is the former record-holder for most games played in the NHL by a defenseman, iseighth overall with 1,651 games played, holds the record for most careerplayoff games played with 266 and is tied withGordie Howe for most NHL seasons played with 26. On May 1, 2009, he appeared in the playoffs for an NHL record 24th time, having missed the playoffs only once. Chelios is also the record-holder for most career postseason losses, with 117 (also the most in any professional sport in North America). He only lost one Game 7 in his career, however, a 3–2 OT loss in the 1985Adams Division Finals against theNordiques. In 2017, Chelios was named one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" in history.[1]
Chelios is ofGreek heritage. His cousin,Nikos Tselios, also played professional hockey and is a former first round draft pick of theCarolina Hurricanes. Chelios was inducted into theHockey Hall of Fame on November 8, 2013,[2] and inducted into theIIHF Hall of Fame in 2018. Chelios is the Class of 2025 for the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame and will be enshrined on December 19, 2025 in Detroit.
Chelios was born inChicago on January 25, 1962, to Gus and Susan Chelios. They lived inEvergreen Park, Illinois, just south of Chicago. Chris attendedMount Carmel High School not far from the shore ofLake Michigan until his family moved toPoway, California.[3] Then he went toMira Mesa High School in the north part ofSan Diego.[4][5]
Unable to play high school hockey inSouthern California, Chelios was not recruited by any U.S. colleges. His only scholarship offer came from San Diego-basedUnited States International University, the onlyNCAA Division I hockey team west of the Rockies. When Chelios arrived on campus as a freshman in 1979, however, he soon realized he was in the wrong environment, facing bigger players with considerably more junior hockey experience. He was eventually cut from the team. Chelios tried his luck in Canada, where he was twice cut by Junior B teams.
Chelios was drafted by theMontreal Canadiens in the 1981NHL Entry Draft. Prior to that, he played for theMoose Jaw Canucks of theSaskatchewan Junior Hockey League, where he tallied 87 points and 175 penalty minutes in 54 games in his final season. Chelios then played for theWisconsin Badgers at theUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison after being drafted. He was selected for theUnited States team at the 1982 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship. In1983, he was part of the Badgers'NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship team and was named to the all-tournament team and the secondWCHA all-star team. Chelios was a member of the U.S. team for the1984 Winter Olympics inSarajevo, Yugoslavia. Next he debuted for the Canadiens, playing 12 games in the regular season and 15 in the playoffs. That summer he joined the U.S. team at the1984 Canada Cup.
In 1984, Chelios made theMontreal Canadiens for good. During his early days, he was known for his offensive abilities, and his teammates even called him "Soft Hands Chelios".[6] He earned a trip to theNational Hockey League All-Star Game and was named to the 1985NHL All-Rookie Team. He scored 64 points in 74 games, a high total for a defenseman even in the high-scoring 1980s, and finished second toMario Lemieux for theCalder Memorial Trophy. In the playoffs that year, he had 10 points in nine games, with a +17plus/minus. Although he only played 41 games in the1985–86 season, he won his firstStanley Cup, playing in front ofConn Smythe Trophy-winning goaltenderPatrick Roy.
During the1988–89 campaign. He scored 73 points in 80 games at +35, was named to theAll-Star first-team, and won his firstJames Norris Memorial Trophy. During that year'sWales Conference (now Eastern Conference) Finals series against thePhiladelphia Flyers (which the Canadiens won in six games), Chelios became reviled by Flyer fans for a hit onBrian Propp that left the Philadelphia winger with a seriousconcussion and forced him to miss the next game. The Flyers did not retaliate against Chelios until late in Game 6; Flyers goaltenderRon Hextall skated out of his net to attack Chelios, earning him a 12-game suspension.[7]
After playing only 53 games the following season (in which he served as Canadiens' co-captain, withGuy Carbonneau, making Chelios the first non-Canadian player to captain the Canadiens), Chelios was traded to his hometown team, theChicago Blackhawks, on June 29, 1990, with a2nd-round draft pick forDenis Savard. The trade occurred one day after Chelios wasaccused offighting with twopolice officers as they tried toarrest him forurinating in public outside abar in downtownMadison, Wisconsin, according to acriminal complaint.[8][9]
In his first season with Chicago, Chelios tallied 64 points and earned a spot on the Second NHL All-Star team. He helped lead the Blackhawks to theStanley Cup Final in 1992, where they were swept by thePittsburgh Penguins. He was in top form for the 1992–93 season, scoring 73 points and winning his secondJames Norris Memorial Trophy. During the1994–95 NHL lockout he played forEHC Biel in the SwissNational League A.[10]
For the1995–96 season, Chelios was namedcaptain of the Blackhawks, a role he served in until 1999. He scored 72 points[11] and won his third James Norris Memorial Trophy. In the summer of 1996, he helped lead theUnited States to defeating Canada in the1996 World Cup of Hockey finals. Chelios was named to the All-Tournament Team.
On March 23, 1999, Chelios was traded to theDetroit Red Wings forAnders Eriksson and two first-round draft picks. In 2002, his +40plus/minus led the league and he was again named to the first All-Star team. He also led the United States hockey team to a silver medal at the2002 Winter Olympics, and was named to the Tournament's All-Star team. His season culminated in the Red Wings' victory over theCarolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final, giving Chelios his second Stanley Cup.
In 2004, because of thecancellation of the NHL season, Chelios, along with fellow Red Wing teammatesDerian Hatcher andKris Draper, decided to play hockey for theMotor City Mechanics, aUHL team based out ofFraser, Michigan.In October 2004, he trained with the U.S. bobsled federation in a bid to compete for theGreek bobsled team at the2006 Winter Olympics. While Chelios did not compete in the bobsled, he didcaptain the USA hockey team at the 2006 Winter Olympics inTurin,Italy.
On August 4, 2005, the 43-year-old re-signed with theRed Wings for a one-year contract. On May 24, 2006, Chelios re-signed a one-year contract with theDetroit Red Wings. On July 3, 2006, Chelios became the active leader for most games played upon the retirement of teammateSteve Yzerman. On April 21, 2007, he became the oldest defenseman to score a short-handed goal in the NHL in a playoff game against the Calgary Flames. Chelios was the captain of the US Olympic Hockey Team that played at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. By participating inice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics, Chelios set a new standard, by becoming the first player to take part in an Olympic ice hockey tournament twenty-two years after he played in his first.[12] The old record was set by Swiss hockey playerBibi Torriani who had played twenty years after his debut (1928 and 1948).
Chelios re-signed with theDetroit Red Wings for the 2007–08 season. On January 8, 2008, Chelios became the second oldest player in the history of the NHL, at 45 years, 348 days, passingMoe Roberts. OnlyGordie Howe, who played until age 52, was older. On April 12, 2008, Chelios played in his 248th playoff game, breaking the NHL record set byHall of Fame goaltenderPatrick Roy. Later that season, Chelios also became the oldest active player to win the Stanley Cup. He signed another one-year contract with the Red Wings for the 2008–09 season. On December 5, 2008, Chelios played in his first of two games for theGrand Rapids Griffins, theAmerican Hockey League (AHL) farm club for the Red Wings, as part of a conditioning stint. At 46 years of age, he became the oldest player in the 73-year history of the AHL.[13] At the conclusion of the 2008–09 season, he was a finalist for theBill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
After the Red Wings announced that they would not be re-signing Chelios,[14] he signed a 25-game tryout contract with theChicago Wolves of the AHL.[15] After a second 25-game pro tryout contract with the Wolves,[16] Chelios signed atwo-way contract with theAtlanta Thrashers. Chelios remained with the Wolves until he was recalled to the Thrashers,[17] hoping that he could provide a spark for the team's playoff hopes.[18] He played in seven games for the Thrashers, the first time in his career he did not play for anOriginal Six team, but failed to record any points.[19] On April 7, 2010, Chelios was sent back to the Wolves.[18][20]
On August 31, 2010, Chelios officially retired. He was 48 years of age. The same day, Red Wingsgeneral managerKen Holland announced that Chelios would be hired to work in the Red Wings' front office. He was named Adviser to Hockey Operations, with a role of working with Red Wings' defense prospects inGrand Rapids.[18][21][22]
In 2013, it was announced that Chelios would become an NHL analyst onFS1, which also included covering the hockey tournament at the2014 Winter Olympics.[23] In 2016, Chelios, along with former Red Wings teammateBrett Hull, was added toESPN's roster of analysts for their coverage of the2016 World Cup of Hockey, which ESPN had picked up the U.S. broadcast rights to, afterNBC pulled out due to scheduling conflicts.
In July 2018, Chelios announced that he was leaving the Detroit area, and the Red Wings front office, to return to Chicago to be close to his family. At the same time, the Chicago Blackhawks announced that Chelios was being brought on board to serve as an ambassador for the franchise. In 2021, after ESPN regained the rights to broadcast theNHL, Chelios rejoined the network for their coverage. Chelios served the same studio analyst role he held for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, and sat alongsideMark Messier andP. K. Subban, joiningSteve Levy for games on ESPN,ABC, andESPN+. On June 5, 2023, it was announced that Chelios's contract would not be renewed[24] as part of Disney's $5.5 billion cost cutting.[25] Chelios later joinedTNT as a guest studio analyst for their November 7 doubleheader.[26][27]
The Blackhawks retired Chelios's no. 7 before their game against the Red Wings on February 25, 2024, making him the ninth Blackhawk to receive the honor.[28]
On June 17, 2015,USA Hockey named Chelios an assistant coach forTeam USA at the2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[29] On June 23, 2015, Chelios was named to the Red Wings coaching staff, where he played a role in player development by working on-ice with the team's defensemen during practices. His job involved evaluating in-game player performance and offering his insight and observations to Red Wings bench coaches. He would also attend all home games, and on occasion, join the club on the road.[30][31]
Chelios has participated in 11 international tournaments for theUnited States:
In 2020, Chelios was named into theIIHF All-Time USA Team.[32]
Chelios attendedMount Carmel High School in Chicago before his family moved west, and then finished prep studies atMira Mesa Senior High School in San Diego. He and his wife Tracee were married in 1987. They met while students at theUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison. They have four children: Dean (born 1989),Jake (born 1991),Caley (born 1993), and Tara (born 1996). Dean Chelios, a forward forCranbrook-Kingswood High School inBloomfield Hills, Michigan, scored two power play goals helping his team win the 2006 Division III Michigan state high school hockey championship. Dean played for theChicago Steel of theUSHL inBensenville, Illinois, and last played in 2016 for theWichita Thunder of theECHL. In May 2009, Jake was drafted 49th overall by the Chicago Steel and joined his brother atMichigan State University inLansing.[33][34] Jake is a defenseman, like his father, and played withKunlun Red Star of theKHL. Caley graduated fromNorthwestern University and is a reporter for theChicago Blackhawks.
Chelios was active in charitable causes during his playing time in Chicago, foundingCheli's Children."[35] He is the older brother of former minor-leaguer Steve Chelios,[36] and cousin of former NHL playerNikos Tselios.[37]
In 2004, Chelios and surferLaird Hamilton trained with the U.S. bobsled team and hoped to form the firstGreek bobsled team at the2006 Winter Olympics. Chelios and his familystand-up paddle surf with Hamilton. Chelios credits the activity with helping him maintain his long career.[38]
OnScrubs, Dr. Perry Cox, played by Chelios's friendJohn C. McGinley, often wears a Red Wings jersey with Chelios's name and number. During the fourth season of the show, which was concurrent with the 2004–05 lockout, Cox was seen on at least one occasion wearing a No. 24 "Motor City Mechanics" jersey. Chelios is also close friends with actorsJohn Cusack andD. B. Sweeney,Pearl Jam frontmanEddie Vedder,Smashing Pumpkins frontmanBilly Corgan, and musicianKid Rock. Chelios was sitting courtside with Kid Rock during thePacers-Pistons brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills on November 19, 2004.[39] Chelios was a regular at Michigan State University hockey games, cheering on his sons Jake and Dean.[40]
On December 28, 2009, inWestmont, a southwest suburb of Chicago, Chelios was arrested for driving under the influence.[41] He was the only occupant of the vehicle that was stopped at 4 a.m.[41] The vehicle was towed and Chelios was taken to the Westmont station, where he was charged, processed, and posted bond. In March 2010, a judge reviewed the video tape of the arrest. The case was dismissed for lack of probable cause to stop, and evidence the tape provided that Chelios was not impaired.[42] He was, however, fined for improper lane usage and speeding.[43]
Chelios has a home inMalibu, California, and is well known as a member of the group of celebrity home owners and friends called the Malibu Mob.[44] Other members include tennis playerJohn McEnroe, big-wave surferLaird Hamilton and his beach volleyball professional wifeGabrielle Reece, musiciansTim Commerford andKid Rock, and actorsJohn C. McGinley,John Cusack,Kelsey Grammer,Tony Danza,Justin Long, andEd O'Neill.[45]
Chelios has owned restaurant/bars in both the Chicago andDetroit areas with the nameCheli's Chili Bar. The first was on West Madison Street inChicago (near theUnited Center) in the 1990s, but closed after when he became a Red Wings player. A new Cheli's opened inDearborn in 2003, followed by a second location inDetroit in 2006, and a third inClinton Township in 2008. All of the restaurants are closed, with the Detroit location shuttering in November 2018 when Chelios returned to Chicago.
On January 2, 2007, two employees of Cheli's in Detroit were fatally stabbed: Megan Soroka, 49, a manager at the restaurant, and Mark Barnard, 52, a chef. Police arrested Justin Blackshere, 17, who confessed to the crime. He was a busboy at the restaurant and was fired in November 2006. Blackshere's pregnant girlfriend had also been fired from her job as a dishwasher. Chelios took a leave of absence from the Red Wings to help the victims' families. He said, "I'll come back when I feel ready and the families feel ready. I'm just going to try to get through this day by day with everybody."[46] On January 9, 2007, the Red Wings announced that Chelios would playing that night.[47] Blackshere was found guilty of murder in the first degree on August 22, 2007 and was sentenced to life in prison without parole on September 7, 2007.[48]
Bold italics indicate NHL record
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1978–79 | Moose Jaw Canucks | SJHL | 24 | 3 | 16 | 19 | 68 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1979–80 | Moose Jaw Canucks | SJHL | 53 | 12 | 31 | 42 | 118 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1980–81 | Moose Jaw Canucks | SJHL | 54 | 23 | 64 | 87 | 175 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1981–82 | Wisconsin Badgers | WCHA | 43 | 6 | 43 | 49 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1982–83 | Wisconsin Badgers | WCHA | 45 | 16 | 32 | 48 | 62 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1983–84 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 12 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 15 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 17 | ||
| 1984–85 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 74 | 9 | 55 | 64 | 87 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 17 | ||
| 1985–86 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 41 | 8 | 26 | 34 | 67 | 20 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 49 | ||
| 1986–87 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 71 | 11 | 33 | 44 | 124 | 17 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 38 | ||
| 1987–88 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 71 | 20 | 41 | 61 | 172 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 29 | ||
| 1988–89 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 80 | 15 | 58 | 73 | 185 | 21 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 28 | ||
| 1989–90 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 53 | 9 | 22 | 31 | 136 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | ||
| 1990–91 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 77 | 12 | 52 | 64 | 192 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 46 | ||
| 1991–92 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 80 | 9 | 47 | 56 | 245 | 18 | 6 | 15 | 21 | 37 | ||
| 1992–93 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 84 | 15 | 58 | 73 | 282 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 14 | ||
| 1993–94 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 76 | 16 | 44 | 60 | 212 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 1994–95 | EHC Biel | NDA | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 48 | 5 | 33 | 38 | 72 | 16 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 12 | ||
| 1995–96 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 81 | 14 | 58 | 72 | 140 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | ||
| 1996–97 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 72 | 10 | 38 | 48 | 112 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | ||
| 1997–98 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 81 | 3 | 39 | 42 | 151 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 65 | 8 | 26 | 34 | 89 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 14 | ||
| 1999–2000 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 81 | 3 | 31 | 34 | 103 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | ||
| 2000–01 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 24 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 45 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2001–02 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 79 | 6 | 33 | 39 | 126 | 23 | 1 | 13 | 14 | 44 | ||
| 2002–03 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 66 | 2 | 17 | 19 | 78 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2003–04 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 69 | 2 | 19 | 21 | 61 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 2004–05 | Motor City Mechanics | UHL | 23 | 5 | 19 | 24 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 81 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 108 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||
| 2006–07 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 71 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 34 | 18 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 12 | ||
| 2007–08 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 69 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 36 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | ||
| 2008–09 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2008–09 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Chicago Wolves | AHL | 46 | 5 | 17 | 22 | 24 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | ||
| 2009–10 | Atlanta Thrashers | NHL | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 1,651 | 185 | 763 | 948 | 2,891 | 266 | 31 | 113 | 144 | 423 | ||||
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | United States | WJC | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | |
| 1984 | United States | OLY | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | |
| 1984 | United States | CC | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| 1987 | United States | CC | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| 1991 | United States | CC | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | |
| 1996 | United States | WCH | 7 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 10 | |
| 1998 | United States | OLY | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| 2002 | United States | OLY | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | |
| 2004 | United States | WCH | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |
| 2006 | United States | OLY | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Junior totals | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | |||
| Senior totals | 53 | 4 | 16 | 20 | 40 | |||
| Award | Year | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| SJHL | ||
| Best Defenseman | 1981 | |
| College | ||
| All-WCHASecond Team | 1983 | [49] |
| All-NCAAAll-Tournament Team | 1983 | [50] |
| NHL | ||
| NHL All-Rookie Team | 1985 | |
| NHL All-Star Game | 1985,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1996,1997,1998,2000,2002 | |
| Stanley Cup champion | 1986 (Montreal),2002,2008 (Detroit) | |
| NHL All-Stars | Rendez-vous '87 | |
| James Norris Memorial Trophy | 1989, 1993, 1996 | |
| NHL first All-Star team | 1989, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2002 | |
| NHL second All-Star team | 1991, 1997 | |
| NHL Plus-Minus Award (+40) | 2002 | |
| Mark Messier Leadership Award | 2007 | |
| International | ||
| IIHF Hall of Fame | 2018 | [51][52] |
| IIHF All-Time USA Team | 2020 | |
"It's pronounced the same, but ours is the Greek spelling," says Nik Tselios, a cousin of Blackhawks captain Chris Chelios.
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | US Men's Olympic Hockey Team Captain 1998, 2002, 2006 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chicago Blackhawks captain 1995–99 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Montreal Canadiens captain 1989–90 with Guy Carbonneau | Succeeded by |
| Awards and achievements | ||
| Preceded by | Winner of theNorris Trophy 1996 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Winner of theNorris Trophy 1993 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Winner of theNorris Trophy 1989 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Winner of theNHL Plus/Minus Award 2002 | Succeeded by |
