Former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Chris Chelios is preparing for an emotional evening Sunday as the organization he played 664 games for retires his number seven.
Although he didn't expect to receive such an honor before his career, the man drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1981 knows it's a dream come true.
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“I don't know if it's a dream come true because it wasn't my childhood dream, not even to play in the NHL,” Chelios said in a comment shared on the National Hockey League's website.
“But looking back now, I think what strikes me most is that it is in my hometown and the dream has come true to have my jersey retired in my hometown.”
In addition, Chelios planned to invite a large crowd to the United Center during the matchup between another of his former teams, the Detroit Red Wings, and the Blackhawks, much more than when he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013.
“Now I charge three times as much because there’s nothing better,” he said. For me there is nothing left after this, no greater award to be honored […][que] taking off my jersey in my hometown.”
A trade the Blackhawks won
Chelios also left his mark on the Habs, as he was captain of the team during the 1989-1990 season. After seven seasons with Montreal, he was traded to Illinois the following year.
The player acquired from CH in exchange for Chelios, center Denis Savard, knows it was the Blackhawks who had the best deal in this transaction.
“Let’s be realistic, at this point in our careers and their longevity, the Blackhawks had the upper hand,” Savard candidly admitted. But I probably never would have won a Stanley Cup, [s’il n’avait pas été échangé à Montréal]. Who knows? It worked out really well for both of us.”
The winner of three Norris Trophies during his career played 1,651 games in the NHL with the Canadiens, Blackhawks, Red Wings and Atlanta Thrashers, scoring 185 goals and 763 assists for 948 points.