Chris Chelios facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chris Chelios
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2013
Chelios at the United Center in 2023
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 Representing the  United States Winter Olympics Silver 2002 Salt Lake City World Cup of Hockey Gold 1996 United States Canada Cup Silver 1991 Canada

Chris Chelios (born January 25, 1962) is a Greek-American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He played for a very long time in the National Hockey League (NHL). He won the Stanley Cup three times: once with the Montreal Canadiens and twice with the Detroit Red Wings.

Chelios played for the Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and the Atlanta Thrashers. When he joined the Thrashers in 2009–10, he was the oldest player in the NHL at that time. He played the most games of any defenseman in NHL history. He also played in the most playoff games ever, with 266. He is tied with Gordie Howe for playing the most NHL seasons, with 26. In 2017, Chelios was named one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" of all time.

Chelios is of Greek heritage. His cousin, Nikos Tselios, also played professional hockey. Chris Chelios was added to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013 and the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2018.

Playing Career

Early Years

Chris Chelios was born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 25, 1962. He grew up there with his parents, Gus and Susan Chelios. His family later moved to California.

At first, Chris found it hard to get noticed by college hockey teams. He even thought about quitting hockey. But he kept working hard. He grew taller and stronger, which helped a lot.

In 1981, the Montreal Canadiens picked him in the NHL Entry Draft. Before that, he played for the Moose Jaw Canucks in a junior league. He then played two great years for the Wisconsin Badgers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He was one of the best college players. In 1983, he helped the Badgers win the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship.

Chelios also played for the U.S. team at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. After the Olympics, he started playing for the Canadiens.

Montreal Canadiens (1984–1990)

In 1984, Chelios became a full-time player for the Montreal Canadiens. He quickly became known for his strong offensive skills. His teammates even called him "Soft Hands Chelios." He was chosen for the National Hockey League All-Star Game and made the 1985 NHL All-Rookie Team. He scored 64 points in 74 games, which was a lot for a defenseman.

In the 1985–86 season, he won his first Stanley Cup with the Canadiens. He played in front of the amazing goalie Patrick Roy.

Chelios had two more good seasons in Montreal. In the 1988–89 season, he really shined. He scored 73 points and won his first James Norris Memorial Trophy, which is given to the best defenseman. During a playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers, Chelios was involved in a tough play with Brian Propp.

After playing 53 games the next season, Chelios was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 1990. He was the first non-Canadian player to be a co-captain for the Canadiens.

Chicago Blackhawks (1990–1999)

In his first year with Chicago, Chelios continued to score many points. He helped lead the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup Final in 1992. He had a fantastic season in 1992–93, scoring 73 points and winning his second James Norris Memorial Trophy. Because his name sounded like "Cheerios," and his play was so good, some reporters called him "Honey Nut."

During the 1994–95 NHL lockout, he played for EHC Biel in Switzerland.

For the 1995–96 season, Chelios became the captain of the Blackhawks. He had another great season, scoring 72 points and winning his third James Norris Memorial Trophy. In 1996, he helped the U.S. team win the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, beating Canada.

Detroit Red Wings (1999–2009)

Even at 37 years old, Chelios was still a valuable player. In 1999, he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings. Playing with more skilled teammates in Detroit helped him keep playing at a high level.

In 2002, he led the league in plus/minus (a stat that shows how many goals your team scores versus gives up when you are on the ice). He was also named to the All-Star team. He led the U.S. hockey team to a silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics. That season ended with the Red Wings winning the Stanley Cup, giving Chelios his second championship.

Chelios as a Red Wing

In 2004, when the NHL season was canceled, Chelios played for the Motor City Mechanics, a minor league team. He also trained with the U.S. bobsled team, hoping to compete for Greece in the 2006 Winter Olympics. While he didn't bobsled, he did captain the USA hockey team at the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy.

Chelios kept re-signing with the Detroit Red Wings. On July 3, 2006, he became the active leader for most games played in the NHL. On April 21, 2007, he became the oldest defenseman to score a short-handed goal in a playoff game.

He was the captain of the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team in 2006. By playing in those Olympics, Chelios became the first player to play in an Olympic ice hockey tournament 22 years after his first one.

Chelios continued to play for the Red Wings. On January 8, 2008, he became the second oldest player in NHL history, at 45 years and 348 days old. Only Gordie Howe played at an older age. On April 12, 2008, Chelios played in his 248th playoff game, breaking the NHL record set by Patrick Roy. Later that season, Chelios also became the oldest active player to win the Stanley Cup.

He signed another one-year contract for the 2008–09 season. He even played two games for the Grand Rapids Griffins, a minor league team, becoming the oldest player in that league's history at 46.

Chicago Wolves and Atlanta Thrashers

After the Red Wings decided not to re-sign Chelios, he joined the Chicago Wolves in the AHL. He later signed with the Atlanta Thrashers and played seven games for them. On April 7, 2010, Chelios was sent back to the Wolves.

Retirement and New Roles

On August 31, 2010, Chris Chelios officially retired from playing hockey at 48 years old. The same day, the Red Wings hired him to work in their front office. He became an Adviser to Hockey Operations, helping young defensemen.

In 2013, Chelios became an NHL analyst for TV, covering hockey for Fox Sports 1 and the 2014 Winter Olympics. In 2016, he joined ESPN as an analyst for the World Cup of Hockey. In 2018, he left the Red Wings to return to Chicago and work as an ambassador for the Chicago Blackhawks. In 2021, he rejoined ESPN for their NHL coverage.

Coaching Career

On June 17, 2015, USA Hockey named Chelios an assistant coach for Team USA at the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

On June 23, 2015, Chelios also joined the Red Wings coaching staff. He helped players develop their skills, especially defensemen, during practices. He also watched games and shared his thoughts with the main coaches.

International Play

Chris Chelios played for the United States in 11 international tournaments:

• 1980 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
• 1982 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
• 1984 Winter Olympics
• 1984 Canada Cup
• 1987 Canada Cup
• 1991 Canada Cup
• 1996 World Cup of Hockey (alternate captain)
• 1998 Winter Olympics (captain)
• 2002 Winter Olympics (captain)
• 2004 World Cup of Hockey (captain)
• 2006 Winter Olympics (captain)

In 2020, Chelios was named to the IIHF All-Time USA Team.

Personal Life

Chris Chelios grew up in Chicago. His father, Constantine "Gus" Chelios, owned Greek restaurants. The family moved to California in 1977. Chris was a Chicago Blackhawks fan as a kid, but he loved football too.

Chris Chelios went to Mount Carmel High School in Chicago and then Mira Mesa Senior High School in San Diego. He married Tracee in 1987. They met at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. They have four children: Dean (born 1989), Jake (born 1991), Caley (born 1993), and Tara (born 1996).

Dean Chelios played high school hockey and later in the USHL and ECHL. Jake Chelios is a defenseman, like his dad, and plays in the KHL. Caley Chelios graduated from Northwestern University and is a reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Chris Chelios was very involved in charity work in Chicago. He is the older brother of Steve Chelios and cousin of former NHL player Nikos Tselios.

Throughout his career, Chelios became friends with many famous athletes and entertainers. He and surfer Laird Hamilton trained with the U.S. bobsled team in 2004. Chelios and his family enjoy stand-up paddle surfing with Hamilton. Chelios says this activity helped him stay in shape for his long career.

On the TV show Scrubs, the character Dr. Perry Cox, played by Chelios' friend John C. McGinley, often wears a Red Wings jersey with Chelios' name and number. Chelios is also good friends with actors John Cusack and D. B. Sweeney, musician Kid Rock, and others. Chelios and Sweeney have even appeared in movies together.

Business

Chris Chelios used to own restaurants and bars called Cheli's Chili Bar in the Chicago and Detroit areas. The first one was in Chicago. Later, he opened locations in Michigan. All of his restaurants are now closed.

Career Statistics

Bold italics indicate NHL record

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and Honors

Records

• Most playoff games played (266)

Images for kids

• 

  Chelios opened Cheli's Chili in downtown Detroit in 2006; it closed in November 2018.

See Also

In Spanish: Chris Chelios para niños

• List of NHL players with 1,000 games played
• List of NHL players with 2,000 career penalty minutes