Chelios Skates with the Wolves
Chris Chelios skated with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves franchise and is expected to sign a contract with the club within a week.
Chelios, 47, is signing the contract with hopes of getting back on to an NHL team at some point in the near future. He believes playing with the Wolves will help his chances.
Chelios was the National Hockey League’s oldest active player last season, having spent 25 seasons with three different clubs. He wasn’t offered a contract by the Detroit Red Wings despite playing with the team in the spring as they made a Stanley Cup run.
Chicago Wolves head coach Don Granato expects Chelios to bring it. “He’s been in this business a long time because he’s a competitor and he certainly knows what he’s doing,” said Granato. “He’ll acclimate and in fairness to him it takes time, especially not having training camp. But the talent and competitiveness are there.”
As the affiliate club to the Atlanta Thrashers, it’s possible that Chelios could get an NHL call-up to his fourth team in his career. He’s not looking that far ahead at this point, however, and is keeping his focus on proving his worth with the Wolves.
“Right now, my thought is getting ready to play here,” he said. “I haven’t played for a while. Last year I only played 30 games at best. I’ve got a big challenge to prove to myself and a lot of people that I can still play.”
Posted by Jordan Richardson.
Tags: ahl, Atlanta Thrashers, chicago wolves, chris chelios