Newest Chicago Wolve has been around a while
By MIKE CUNNIFF
The newest kid on the block for the Chicago Wolves will be making his debut Friday night.
But he is no fuzzy-cheeked youngster.
No way, since Chris Chelios has played 1,644 games in the National Hockey League.
In 25 seasons.
With the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings.
Now 47 years old, Chelios signed a tryout contract earlier in the week with the Wolves of the American Hockey League. On Friday, the Wolves are scheduled to host the Manitoba Moose at the Allstate Arena.
Chelios played sparingly for the Red Wings last season, appearing in 28 games but recording neither a goal or an assist. That means the Chicago native's career totals in the NHL remain at 185 goals and 763 assists for 948 points.
That is not a huge total, but remember Chelios was a defenseman.
So his total of a plus 352 is pretty good.
Oh, and the fact that he is a three-time winner of the Norris Trophy, awarded to the top defenseman in the NHL. A former second round pick [40th overall] by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1981 draft, claimed the Norris in 1989, 1993 and 1996; finishing twice as the runner-up.
One of three NHL players to play for 25 NHL seasons [the others are Gordie Howe and Mark Messier], the teams he was playing on have qualified for the playoffs in 24 of the 25 years.
Chelios has played on a trio of Stanley Cup champions, with Montreal in 1986 plus Detroit in 2002 and 2008. Oh, and he was an NHL All-Star 11 times.
He got a late start to the regular season last year, after suffering a fractured tibia when he blocked a shot in a Sept. 30 preseason game against Montreal. The injury caused his to miss the first 28 games of the campaign.
Chelios returned on Dec. 13, seeing most of his playing time as an injury replacement.
He is fourth in the most games played and is the leader among defensemen, Americans and active players. Chelios, who has racked up 2,891 minutes in penalties, is the only player in NHL history to play more than 400 games for three different teams.
The Wolves are affiliated with the Atlanta Thrashers but Chelios signed a free agent contract so he would be free to sign with any NHL team. He has scored 69 power-play goals, 13 short-handed goals and 31 game-winners.
Chelios has also been an outstanding performer in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, lighting the lamp 31 times and being credited with 1123 assists in 260 games.
The Wolves are off to a slow start, winning just one of their opening six contests, while being out-scored 22-14. That resulted in the firing of Don Granato on Monday. Former Blackhawks scout Don Lever has been named to replace Granato.
Chelios has already made it clear that he is not interested in coaching the team.
Which is good.
Chelios has one thought in mind ... he wants to play well enough to get some NHL team interested. Of course, not many NHL teams would consider signing a 47-year-old guy on their club.
But ... of course ... if Chelios plays well enough, all he needs is one team to offer him a deal.
Can Chelios still play at 47?
He appeared in 69 NHL games two years ago. And 71 the year before that.
That's an average of 70, which is pretty good, considering the wear and tear on most NHL players throughout a season.
Can Chelios be a dominant player in the NHL?
Probably not ... any longer.
But I would bet he has some mileage left.
Can Chelios be a dominant player in the AHL?
Actually, he will not have to be.
If he shows he can still play for a month to six weeks, usually by that time, some NHL team has lost a defenseman or two. Possibly for the entire season.
All Chelios wants is a chance to play.
His presence at Allstate Arena smacks of a marketing ploy.
Something the Wolves did to boost attendance.
Maybe so.
Certainly, having Chelios on the ice should spur the number of warm bodies in the seats on Friday.
That's fine.
But if Chelios can't plaly, we will find out soon enough.
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