22. Chris Chelios

When the Detroit Red Wings traded for Chris Chelios at the 1999 Trade Deadline, they could not have foreseen that they would get a decade of play from the 37-year-old.

The American Defenseman was acquired for Anders Eriksson and two First Round Picks, and Detroit still easily won the deal.  A veteran with more grit than entire teams, Chelios was still a very good player, and at age 40, he was a First Team All-Star and the NHL leader in Plus/Minus.  He helped lead the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup that year, capping what had to be one of the most improbable seasons of a player his age.   

Chelios remained with Detroit, winning the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2007. The Defenseman was not resigned after the 2008-09 Season, and he would score 152 Points with a Plus/Minus of +158 as a Red Wing.

Chelios entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Defence
  • Acquired: Traded from the Chicago Blackhawks for Anders Eriksson and Detroit’s 1999 1st Round Pick (which would be Steve McCarthy) and the 2001 1st Round Pick (which would be Adam Munro) 3/23/99.
  • Departed: Signed as a Free Agent with Chicago of the AHL 10/20/09.
  • Games Played: 578
  • Notable Statistics:

    21 Goals
    131 Assists 
    152 Points 
    613 PIM 
    0.26 PPG 
    +158 Plus/Minus 
    41.1 Point Shares 

    103 Playoff Games
    3 Goals
    25 Assists 
    28 Points 
    104 PIM 
    0.27 PPG 
    +14 Plus/Minus 
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Stanley Cup Champion (2002 & 2008)
    First Team All-Star (2002)
    All-Star (2000 & 2002)
    Mark Messier Leadership Award (2007)
    Highest Plus/Minus (2001-02)
    Most Defensive Point Shares (2001-02)
More in this category: « 21. Chris Osgood 23. John Ogrodnick »

Comments powered by CComment