Former Red Wings defenseman and legendary U.S. hockey player Chris Chelios was elected into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday.
Chelios, 49 had tremendous sustainability in the NHL playing well into his 40’s. In 26 seasons in the NHL, Chelios played with the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and briefly with the Atlanta Thrashers (now Winnipeg Jets). He ended up retiring at the end of the 2009-10 season as the all-time leader in games played by a defenseman with 1,651.
“I couldn’t have been more excited when I got the call,” Chelios said during a teleconference. “My family, my friends, my coaches, I’ve been mentioning to them over the course of the past two weeks (about the U.S. Hall), they’re as excited as I am about it. USA hockey has come a long way.”
Chelios is considered by many to be the greatest American born player to ever play in the NHL. He is a three-time captain of the U.S. Olympic team and the only player to represent the U.S. on four Olympic squads.
Chelios will be up for induction into the NHL Hall of Fame in 2013, his first year of eligibility where it is expected that he gets in on the first ballot.
Keith Tkachuk and Gary Suter also were selected for induction into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.
Source: Grand Rapids Press