The Chicago Wolves have signed 25-year National Hockey League veteran defenseman Chris Chelios to a professional tryout contract. The Chicago native will make his Wolves debut on Friday when the team hosts the Manitoba Moose at the Allstate Arena.
Chelios leads all American-born players with 1,644 career NHL outings, and has racked up 948 points (185 goals, 763 assists) and 2,891 penalty minutes with the Montreal Canadiens (1983-90), Chicago Blackhawks (1990-99) and Detroit Red Wings (1999-2009).
Chelios made his American Hockey League debut last season, skating in two games for the Grand Rapids Griffins.
“It is an honor for us to have him,” said Wolves general manager Wendell Young. “We are very excited to have someone of Chris’ stature join our team. He will be an excellent example for our young players to watch, both on and off the ice.”
The 47-year-old blueliner has been awarded the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman three times (1989, 1993, 1996), and has been named to the NHL’s First All-Star Team five times (1989, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2002). He has participated in 11 NHL All-Star Games, and been a member of three Stanley Cup winning teams (Montreal, 1986; Detroit, 2002 and 2008), while playing in the Stanley Cup Finals on three other occasions (1989, 1992, 2009).
Chelios has competed in 266 Stanley Cup playoff outings, an NHL record, and has missed the playoffs only once in his 25-year NHL career. He has tallied 144 points (31g, 113a) and 423 penalty minutes in postseason competition.
In addition to his storied NHL career, Chelios has represented the United States in International play on 12 occasions, which includes captaining Team USA in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics.
