Chris Chelios

Chris Chelios
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2013
Chelios leaving the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel for a game against the Vancouver Canucks in March 2007
Born (1962-01-25) January 25, 1962 (age 62)
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 medal – second place 2002 Salt Lake City
World Cup of Hockey
Gold medal – first place 1996 United States
Canada Cup
Silver medal – second place 1991 Canada

Christos Konstantinos "Chris" Chelios (Greek: Χρήστος Κωνσταντίνος "Κρις" Τσέλιος; born January 25, 1962) is a Greek-American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He was one of the longest tenured players in the National Hockey League (NHL), and is a three-time Stanley Cup champion—one with the Montreal Canadiens and two with the Detroit Red Wings.

Chelios played for the Canadiens, Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and the Atlanta Thrashers. When he was called up from the AHL's Chicago Wolves to play for the Thrashers during the 2009–10 NHL season, Chelios was the oldest active player in the NHL and the second oldest of all time. He had played the most games of any active player in the NHL, was the last player from the 1981 NHL Entry Draft still active (or any draft from 1986 and earlier), and had the most career penalty minutes of any active player. He is the former record-holder for most games played in the NHL by a defenseman, is eighth overall with 1,651 games played, holds the record for most career playoff games played with 266 and is tied with Gordie 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). However, he only lost one Game 7 in his career, a 3–2 OT loss in the 1985 Adams Division Finals against the Nordiques. In 2017, Chelios was named one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" in history.[1]

Chelios is of Greek heritage. His cousin, Nikos Tselios, also played professional hockey and is a former first round draft pick of the Carolina Hurricanes. Chelios was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 8, 2013,[2] and inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2018.

  1. ^ "100 Greatest NHL Players". NHL.com. January 27, 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
  2. ^ "Cheli, Shanny headed to Hall of Fame". NHL.com.