As I was watching Chris Chelios skating the Stanley Cup around the ice at Mellon Arena last night, I couldn't help but wonder: Was this the last we'd see of the 46-year old defenseman? After playing in 15 of Detroit's first 16 playoff games, Chelios was injured at the tail end of the Western Conference Finals with Dallas, and was a healthy scratch for all six games against Pittsburgh.
Well, wonder no more.
Perhaps Red Wings owner Mike Illitch was just caught up in the excitement, but as far as he's concerned, he's open to having Chelios back for another season, and maybe more:
"Certainly I would love to have him back,'' Holland said. "He's still a good player and he loves hockey. He loves to compete and you can't have enough of those guys in the locker room.''As for Chelios, he told multiple outlets that he wanted to be back next year as well.
[...]
"What can you say about a guy who's going to go to the Hall of Fame? One of the greatest American players, if not the greatest American player, ever. He's pulling for the team, it wasn't about him, it was about the team.''
Back during the 1998-99 season when Chelios was dealt at the deadline to Detroit from the Chicago Blackhawks, I can recall thinking that it seemed like a fitting coda to the Chicago native's career. I figured he'd have at least one, maybe two genuine shots at the Cup and then call it a day. But now, here we are more than eight seasons later, and Chelios is still chewing up ice time. The funny thing is, as of next season, Chelios will have played as many years in a Red Wings uniform as he did in Chicago, the franchise so many fans associate him with.
Then again, Chelios never won a Cup in Chicago, and now he's won twice in Detroit. And the fact is you can't fault the man's enthusiasm. After all, he was a healthy scratch last night, yet he still came on the ice after the game wearing a full uniform to celebrate with his teammates.
So when will Chris Chelios retire? Probably when they pry the skates off his cold, dead feet. Don't hold your breath waiting.
