Former Badger Chelios makes it official

Former Badger Chris Chelios is coming back for a 25th season in the NHL as he signed a deal today. That is crazy, he is less than four years from being 50 years old and he is still going strong.

Chelios signs one-year deal, returns for 25th season
Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - The Detroit Red Wings and Chris Chelios made it official on Tuesday, as the eternally-young defenseman signed a one-year deal allowing him to return for a 25th NHL season.

The 46-year-old Chelios had three goals and 12 points in 69 regular-season games for the Wings in 2007-08. However, due to a nagging knee injury, he was limited to zero points in 14 playoff games and did not skate at all in the six-game Stanley Cup Finals as the Wings topped the upstart Pittsburgh Penguins.

"Obviously in my situation and age, and being on the best team in the league -- you have some young guys on the team that you have to play or you're going to lose them. So, I understand the situation and I love playing here," said Chelios.

The Red Wings come into the 2008-09 campaign with a spate of young defenseman including Niklas Kronwall, Brett Lebda, Kyle Quincey, Derek Meech and Jonathan Ericsson. That means the venerable veteran will have to take a more reduced role with the club.

"I guess I can say I'm a survivor because I'm still here at this age," he added. "But things can change quick in this game. We'll start the season and I'll make the best of it and work hard."

Chelios is a three-time Stanley Cup champion, capturing the silver with Montreal in 1986 and with Detroit in 2002 and last season. Internationally, the bruising backliner has played for USA Hockey four times in the Olympics (1984, 1998, 2002, 2006).

A native of Chicago, Chelios was plucked in the second round by Montreal in the 1981 draft. He spent two seasons with college hockey powerhouse Wisconsin and made his NHL debut with the Canadiens late in the 1983-84 season following the Sarajevo games.

He spent parts of seven seasons with the Habs before moving on to Chicago (1990-99), then Detroit in a March, 1999 deal. Over 1,616 games, Chelios has recorded 185 goals, 948 points and 2,873 penalty minutes.