Chris Chelios

Chris Chelios, born Christos Kostas Chelios, is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman celebrated for his remarkable career in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on January 25, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois, Chelios left an indelible mark on the sport, showcasing both skill and longevity.

Over the course of his illustrious career, Chelios achieved three Stanley Cup victories—one with the Montreal Canadiens and two with the Detroit Red Wings. His tenure spanned various teams, including the Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and the Atlanta Thrashers. Notably, during the 2009–10 NHL season, when called up from the AHL’s Chicago Wolves to play for the Thrashers, Chelios became the oldest active player in the NHL and the second oldest of all time.

Chelios boasted an impressive list of records, including being the former record-holder for most games played by a defenseman in the NHL, with 1,651 games played. He held the record for the most career playoff games played with 266, tying with Gordie Howe for the most NHL seasons played at 26. Despite holding the record for most career postseason losses in any professional sport in North America, Chelios only experienced defeat in one Game 7 throughout his career.

His Greek heritage added a unique dimension to his identity, and hockey runs in the family—his cousin, Nikos Tselios, also played professionally. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sport, Chris Chelios was rightfully inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 8, 2013, and the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2018. In 2017, he earned a spot among the “100 Greatest NHL Players” in history, solidifying his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats.