CHRIS CHELIOS RETIRES AFTER 26 NHL SEASONS

August 31, 2010 @ 10:16AM

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Chris Chelios talks to the media after Game Four of the 2008/09 WC Finals at the United Center. Chcago May 24, 2009. Photo by Jack Rosenberg / In Play! Magaziine

Detroit, MI... Chris Chelios, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and three-time Norris Trophy winning defenseman, announced today that he will retire from the National Hockey League after 26 seasons. Chelios played for the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and Atlanta Thrashers during his illustrious NHL career. He retires having played the most games by a defenseman in NHL history (1,651) and as the only player in league history to play in over 400 games for three different teams (Chicago-664, Detroit-578, Montreal-402).

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of this game at the highest level for a long time,” said Chelios. “I’ve met a lot of great people and developed some special relationships along the way. The three championship teams I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of have truly been the highlights of my career. I’m excited for this next challenge to begin and I’m also thankful the Wings have extended this opportunity for me to continue to be close to the game.”

Chelios, 48, was originally a second round draft pick (40th overall) of Montreal in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. Following his selection by the Canadiens, he played two seasons for the University of Wisconsin, helping the Badgers lay claim to the 1983 NCAA National Championship with a 6-2 win over Harvard in the championship game. Chelios was named to the all-tournament team. The Chicago, IL, native devoted the following season to playing for U.S.A. Hockey in preparation for the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. It was the first of four Olympics in which Chelios would don the red, white and blue during his international hockey career (1984, 1998-team captain, 2002-team captain/silver medalist, 2006-team captain). He would also represent the U.S.A. in three Canada Cups (1984, 1987, 1991), two World Cup of Hockey events (1996, 2004-team captain) and once at the World Junior Championship (1982).

Chelios’ NHL career began shortly after his first Olympics appearance on March 8, 1984, when the Canadiens played host to the Hartford Whalers. He would play in 12 regular season games and 15 postseason contests for Montreal that year. The following season, Chelios blossomed into an elite NHL defenseman, securing a spot in the 1985 NHL All-Star Game, finishing second in Calder Trophy voting as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year (Mario Lemieux) and being named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team. He would spend seven seasons in Montreal, playing in 402 regular season games and 98 playoff contests. Chelios helped the Canadiens win their 22nd Stanley Cup championship in 1986. He claimed his first Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman in 1989 and was named a first team NHL All-Star. He would again be selected to represent Montreal at the 1990 NHL All-Star Game. On June 29, 1990, Chelios was traded along with a second round draft pick to his hometown Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for NHL Hall of Famer, Denis Savard.

Chelios’ elite play would continue in the Windy City. During his nine seasons with Blackhawks, he played in 664 regular season games and 65 postseason games. He represented Chicago in seven NHL All-Star Games (1991-94, 1996-98). Chelios helped lead the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup Final in 1992 before losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins in four games. It was Chicago’s first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final since 1973. During the postseason run, he recorded 21 points (6-15-21) and added 37 PIM in 18 playoff games.

Chelios won two Norris Trophies (1993, 1996) in a Blackhawks sweater and was runner-up to Paul Coffey of the Red Wings in 1995. He was named a first team NHL All-Star three times (1993, 1995, 1996) and a second team All-Star twice (1991, 1997) in Chicago. On March 23, 1999, Chelios was again traded, this time to arch-rival and two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit in a trade deadline deal for defenseman Anders Eriksson and two first round draft picks (1999 and 2001).

Chelios played in 10 regular season games and averaged over 27 minutes of ice time in 10 postseason games following his move to the Motor City in 1999. In 2000, he was selected to represent his third different team at the NHL All-Star Game. Despite what seemed to be a short-term addition to the Red Wings’ blue line, Chelios eventually spent over nine seasons wearing the winged wheel. In 2002, at the age of 40, Chelios appeared in his 11th and final NHL All-Star game, finished with the highest plus-minus rating in the NHL (+40), finished second in Norris Trophy voting to teammate, Nicklas Lidstrom, and was a first team NHL All-Star for the fifth time in his career. Chelios played an integral role in helping the Wings capture the 2002 Stanley Cup, the second of his career. He would add a third championship to his resume with Detroit in 2008 at the age of 46. In total, Chelios would appear in 578 regular season games and 103 postseason games for the Wings.

On March 2, 2010, Chelios signed with the fourth team of his NHL career, the Atlanta Thrashers. He appeared in seven games for Atlanta, playing his final NHL game on April 6, 2010, when the Thrashers faced-off against the New Jersey Devils. In a credit to his competitiveness, determination and longevity, Chelios retires as the oldest U.S. born hockey player of all-time and the second oldest player in NHL history behind the legendary Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe (52).

Bob Probert night in Chicago. Game Four WCF May 24, 2009. Photo by Jack Rosenberg / In Play! Magazine

Off the ice, Chelios has been active in charitable efforts throughout his career. In 1992, he established the Cheli’s Children’s Foudation, which has donated over $2 million to various children’s charities throughout Chicago and Detroit, including the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Children’s Memorial Hospital, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association.

Chelios will return to the Red Wings as Advisor to Hockey Operations. He will work closely with Detroit’s front office and coaching staffs, providing insight on a wide range of on-ice issues while helping to develop and mentor young players within the organization. He will also assist on the business operations side of the team, appearing at games and other functions to interact with fans and potential business partners.

Chelios will continue to reside in the Detroit area with his wife, Tracee, and their two daughters, Caley and Tara. His two sons, Dean and Jake, are currently enrolled at Michigan State University and will play hockey for the Spartans this fall.

RED WINGS AND ABDELKADER AGREE TO TERMS ON TWO-YEAR DEAL

August 23, 2010 @ 10:38AM

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...Physical Forward To Stay In Detroit Through 2011-12…

Detroit, MI... Detroit Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland today announced the club has agreed to terms with forward Justin Abdelkader on a two-year contract. In accordance with team policy, additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Abdelkader, 23, was Detroit’s second round selection (42nd overall) in the 2005 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He appeared in 50 games for the Red Wings in 2009-10, collecting six points (3-3-6) and 35 PIM, while finishing third on the team with 152 hits. The Muskegon, MI, native registered his first career regular season point (assist, Oct. 15 vs. Los Angeles), first career regular season goal (Oct. 17 vs. Colorado) and first career two-goal game (Nov. 11 at Columbus). He appeared in 11 games for the Red Wings during the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, adding two points (1-1-2) and 36 PIM. Abdelkader also played in 33 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins last season, notching 24 points (11-13-24) and 86 PIM.

A former star at Michigan State, Abdelkader helped the Spartans capture the 2007 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship, scoring the game-winning goal with just 18.9 seconds left in the championship game against Boston College. He was named the Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player.

Justin Abdelkader
Forward
Born Feb 25 1987 -- Muskegon, MI
Height 6.02 -- Weight 212 -- Shoots L
Selected by Detroit in the second round (#42 overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft

Mike Modano Press Conference Audio

August 15, 2010 @ 10:56PM

By AJ Petronzi
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RED WINGS INK JAMIE TARDIF TO ONE-YEAR DEAL

August 10, 2010 @ 9:14AM

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...Veteran Forward Served As Captain Of The Grand Rapids Griffins In 2009-10…

Detroit, MI... Detroit Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Holland today announced the club has signed forward Jamie Tardif to a one-year, two-way contract. In accordance with team policy, additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Tardif, 25, was originally a fourth round pick (112th overall) of the Calgary Flames in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. The Welland, ONT native is entering his fifth season as a professional, having spent the last four seasons with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the America Hockey League. In 2009-10, he recorded 33 points (16-17-33) and 90 penalty minutes in 77 games, while serving as team captain in Grand Rapids. He currently ranks among the Griffins’ all-time leaders with 239 games played (10th) and 602 shots on goal (5th). In 242 career AHL games, Tardif has tallied 51 goals and 49 assists for 100 points, while posting 241 PIM.

Jamie Tardif
Right Wing
Born Jan 23 1985 -- Welland, ONT
Height 6.00 -- Weight 205 -- Shoots R
Selected by Calgary Flames in the fourth round (#112 overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft
 

RED WINGS SIGN RUSLAN SALEI TO ONE-YEAR DEAL

August 9, 2010 @ 10:52AM

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...Veteran Defenseman Joins The Blue Line In Hockeytown For 2010-11 Season…

Detroit, MI... Detroit Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Holland today announced the club has signed defenseman Ruslan Salei to a one-year contract. In accordance with team policy, additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Salei, 35, was originally a first round draft pick (ninth overall) of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the 1996 National Hockey League Entry Draft. The Minsk, Belarus, native has appeared in 842 career games with the Ducks, Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche. He has 194 points (43-151-194) and 1,017 penalty minutes over 13 NHL seasons. Salei appeared in just 14 games for Colorado in 2009-10 due to a back injury. He finished the season with six points (1-5-6) and 10 PIM. He was the captain of Belarus at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. In four games, he registered one goal, was +2 and led the team in ice time (22:36).

Salei previously played under current Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock for two seasons in Anaheim (2002-03, 2003-04).

Ruslan Salei
Defense
Born Nov 2 1974 -- Minsk, Belarus
Height 6.02 -- Weight 205 -- Shoots L
Selected by Anaheim in the first round (#9 overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft

Mike Modano Signs With Red Wings

August 6, 2010 @ 3:32PM

By AJ Petronzi
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The Detroit Red Wings officially announced today that Mike Modano has signed a one-year contract worth just over a million dollars. Modano, who has played his entire career with Dallas Stars franchise, is the all time leading scorer among American born players and is a native of the Detroit area.

Red Wings and Little Caesars junior hockey owner, Mike Ilich, said he was excited to have Modano on the Wings. “He’s one of only three players to make it from Little Caesars to the NHL and it’s great to have him playing at home.”

Modano, who admitted to the media about being talked away from retirement by his wife, said he doesn’t feel any pressure for the season. “I’m a little nervous to go back to Dallas and I think the fans will be too. I’m sure I’ll get the same sendoff as I did as a Star though. I don’t know what the fans in Detroit will do the first time I take the ice. I’m a little nervous about that also,” Modano told In Play! about his only reservations coming into this season. “I’ll have a good season as long as I stay healthy. If my body doesn’t let me down, I know Dan [Cleary] and [Jiri] Hudler won’t let me down on the ice. I’ll put numbers together once the season gets going.”

Modano also said, jokingly, that he asked Ken Holland to call Gordy Howe and ask if Modano could wear the number 9 for a season. Instead, Holland gave Modano the number 90.

RED WINGS AND MIKE MODANO AGREE TO ONE-YEAR DEAL

August 5, 2010 @ 10:00AM

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Little Caesars Amateur Hockey Association Star Returns Home to Michigan

Detroit, MI... Detroit Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Holland today announced the club has agreed to terms with center Mike Modano on a one-year contract. In accordance with team policy, additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Modano, 40, is the highest scoring American-born player in National Hockey League history with 1,359 points and will be entering his 21st season in the NHL. He currently ranks in the top five among active NHL players in 10 separate categories: Games Played:1,459; Goals: 557; Assists: 802; Points:1,359; Power-play Goals: 156; Shorthanded Goals: 29; Game-winning Goals: 92; Overtime Goals: 9; and Shots: 4,194.

Born in Livonia, MI, Modano grew up playing in the Little Caesars Amateur Hockey Association and was the first overall pick in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota North Stars. He began his NHL career in 1990 and tallied 75 points, including 29 goals, en route to being named runner-up in the Calder Trophy race (Sergei Makarov) and earning a spot on the NHL’s All-Rookie Team. In his 20 NHL seasons with the North Stars and Dallas Stars franchise, Modano was selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game eight times. In 1999, Modano helped lead Dallas to a Stanley Cup Championship, scoring 18 points in the 23-game post-season title run.

In international competition, Modano has represented the United States in three Olympic Games (1998, 2002 and 2006), winning the Silver Medal in the 2002 Salt Lake City games, and has competed in three World Championships (1990, 1993 and 2005), two World Cup of Hockey tournaments (1996 and 2004), the 1991 Canada Cup and two World Junior Championships (1988 and 1989).

FLAMES AND CANADIENS TAKE IT OUTSIDE FOR NHL HERITAGE CLASSIC

August 4, 2010 @ 3:41PM

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McMahon Stadium To Host First Outdoor NHL Game In Canada Since 2003.

NEW YORK (August 4, 2010) – Representatives from the National Hockey League, the Calgary Flames and the Montreal Canadiens met today at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium in advance of the 2011 NHL Heritage Classic™, the regular-season outdoor game to be played Sunday, February 20, 2011. The League, the Flames and the Canadiens today also unveiled the game-day jerseys specially designed for each team for the event.

The 2011 NHL Heritage Classic marks the first regular-season NHL game contested outdoors in Canada since the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Canadiens at Commonwealth Stadium on November 22, 2003. CBC and RDS will carry the game in Canada and VERSUS will telecast the outdoor match in the United States. NHL Radio™ will have the live action across North American radio. NHL Network™ will provide pre- and post-game programming, and NHL.com will provide extensive digital coverage.

"The Flames and Canadiens, two teams with so much history, will resume a rivalry that is so much a part of the National Hockey League’s proud heritage. Our first regular-season outdoor game was played in Canada, and we're excited to be coming back for the 2011 NHL Heritage Classic at McMahon Stadium Feb. 20," said Gary Bettman, Commissioner of the National Hockey League.
The Flames and Canadiens are the only clubs to have contested an all-Canadian Stanley Cup Final in the 40-plus years of the NHL's expansion era (since 1968), doing so twice in a four-season span. The Canadiens captured their 23rd Stanley Cup by defeating the Flames in five games in 1985-86 and the Flames won their first and only Stanley Cup in a six-game triumph over the Canadiens in 1988-89.

Both clubs boast a strong cross-country following and own long home sellout streaks. The Canadiens have drawn capacity crowds at Bell Centre for each of their past 248 regular-season and playoff games since January 2004, while the Flames have posted 230 consecutive sellouts at Pengrowth Saddledome since April 2004. These two teams will have one match-up prior to the 2011

NHL Heritage Classic when the Canadiens host the Flames on January 17th. “The Calgary Flames are honoured to be hosting the Heritage Classic at McMahon Stadium. Calgary and Montreal have a storied past having faced each other in two Stanley Cup finals and we are pleased to be able to restore that rivalry on this grand stage with an outdoor game,” said Ken King,

President and CEO Calgary Flames. “The Flames organization, the city of Calgary and Flames fans everywhere are very excited about this very special event highlighted by the opportunity to see NHL action in a classic winter setting.”

“The entire Montreal Canadiens organization is thrilled to be part of this exciting event. We look forward to this celebration of hockey on Canadian soil and welcome the opportunity to revive our longtime rivalry with the Calgary Flames,” said Pierre Boivin, President of the Montreal Canadiens. “We had the privilege of playing in the first Heritage Classic, back in 2003, and we are pleased and honoured to have been invited for this outdoor showdown at McMahon Stadium.”