NHL News: Chris Chelios Retires!!

Chris Chelios has announced that he will finally retire at the age of 48! He would have turned 49 in January if he played this season.  The U.S born defensemen did not have a very memorable last NHL season.  But he went out on his own terms when he felt like he was done and could not play at the top level.  He feels like he can be more of an asset to a team in the front office then on the ice.

Chelios will definitely be looked at as one of the best U.S born defensemen in NHL history with many many trophies, awards and memorable moments that will fill highlight reels for years to come and inspire young U.S defensemen.

Join me after this for more on the retirement of Chelios......
Chris was never considered a big defensemen at 6'0 and just under 200 lbs. most of his career but the Montreal Canadiens drafted him 40th overall in the 1981 Draft anyway.  Chelios would win his 1st of three career Stanley Cup's with the Canadiens in 1985-86 although it would be the only one he would win with the Canadiens.  Chelios was traded to the Blackhawks in June of 1990 for Denis Savard.  He had success in Chi-Town but never won a Cup and was traded to the Red Wings in 1999.  Chris would go on to win two Cups with the Detriot Red Wings in 2001-02 and 2007-08.  Chelios was also a main factor on a 2001-2002 Silver medal winning U.S Olympic team.  Among Chelios' other accomplishments were his 3 Norris trophies and leading the league in +/- in 2001-02 at the age of 40 with a +40.

Chris did not end his career on a high note, playing in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves, the Atlanta Thrashers AHL affiliate in 2009-10.  He would get called up by the Thrashers late in the season and went on to play in 7 games tallying 0 points and a -2 rating.  At the age of 47 it looked like his career was on a downward path and after 26 NHL seasons Chris Chelios announced his retirement on August 6th,2010.

I personally wish everyone had the passion for the game of hockey that Chris did.  He played most of his final season in the AHL, not for money but for the love of the game.  He has decided that he will be more help to the NHL in the front office and it has been reported that he will take a front office job with the Red Wings but it has not yet been confirmed.