(Chicago) The Chicago Blackhawks retired defenseman Chris Chelios’ number 7 jersey on Sunday before a duel against the Detroit Red Wings.
Dressed in black and surrounded by family, friends and former teammates, Chelios blew kisses to the crowd who cheered as he was introduced.
“The path, the journey, where we came from, where I came from, it’s so hard to believe this is happening,” Chelios said.
The 62-year-old Chicago native played for his hometown team from 1990 until his trade to the Detroit Red Wings in March 1999. He had 92 goals and 395 assists in 664 games in career with the Blackhawks. He is still the team leader with 1495 penalty minutes.
“He was the ultimate competitor, the ultimate leader and the ultimate friend,” said former teammate Jeremy Roenick.
Chelios played 26 seasons in the NHL, aided in part by a rigorous training routine. He also partied away from the rink, spending several memorable evenings at his favorite bars in Chicago.
“The best advice I received during my career came from him,” insisted former Blackhawks defenseman Gary Suter. If you drink beer in the evening, you have to sweat it out the next day. »
Roenick added: “No one parties like Chris Chelios. »
Chelios began his career with the Montreal Canadiens, with whom he spent seven seasons. The three-time Stanley Cup champion was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013.
Chelios won the Norris Trophy three times, including twice with the Blackhawks. He was an ambassador for the team.
“Playing against him, you knew you were going to have a tough night,” noted former NHL forward Tony Amonte, who played alongside and against Chelios. He had five or six sticks and they weren’t used to shoot the puck. They were used to break arms. It’s a beast. He does everything to the extreme. »
Chelios is the ninth player to have his number retired by the Blackhawks, joining Glenn Hall (number 1), Pierre Pilote (number 3), Keith Magnuson (number 3), Bobby Hull (number 9), Denis Savard (number 18), Stan Mikita (number 21), Tony Esposito (number 35) and Marian Hossa (number 81).
Like Pilote and Magnuson, Chelios could one day have company in the heights of the United Center with his number 7. Brent Seabrook was a key defender in three Stanley Cup victories for the Blackhawks and he also wore this number .