Detroit Red Wings All-Time Team and Line Combinations
Chris Chelios
When I was thinking about what defensemen to put on this team, I definitely did not initially think of Chris Chelios. Of course, that isn’t because he isn’t worthy of being in this lineup, because he surely is; he is one of the best defenders of his generation! It’s just that whenever I think of him, I picture him in a Chicago BlackHawks jersey.
Yet, the pride and joy of Chicago Illinois spent more time with the Red Wings (10 seasons) than he did with the Blackhawks (9 seasons), or any team for that matter. During the 1998-99 season, the then 37 year old Chelios was traded from his hometown team to the Red Wings, in hopes of getting another Stanley Cup under his belt (He had already won one with Montreal in 1986).
At the time, the Detroit Red Wings were probably expecting to receive a player with a little bit of gas left in the tank; but they got much, much more than they bargained for. From the moment he touched the ice for Detroit, it was apparent that the old man had a ton more hockey left in him.
He had so much hockey left in him in fact, that he got to play in integral role in two Detroit Red Wings Championships: The 2002 championship at age 40, and the 2008 championship at age 47. In his 578 games as a Red Wing, Chelios achieved 3 all-star appearances, two Stanley Cup Championships, and a respectable 152 points.