Chris Chelios will have his No. 7 retired by the Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 25 before they play the Detroit Red Wings at United Center.
The 61-year-old Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman was surprised by his friend, Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder, with the announcement before more than 20,000 fans at United Center Thursday.
“We are entering a new era of Blackhawks hockey on the ice, but the importance of honoring past members of this organization is, and always will be, a priority,” Blackhawks chairman Danny Wirtz said. “Chris Chelios represents not only the Blackhawks, but, given his roots here, the city of Chicago.”
Born and raised in Chicago, Chelios is a Blackhawks ambassador and will be the ninth player in team history to have his number retired, joining Glenn Hall (No. 1), Pierre Pilote (No. 3), Keith Magnusson (No. 3), Bobby Hull (No. 9), Denis Savard (No. 18), Stan Mikita (No. 21), Tony Esposito (No. 35) and Marian Hossa (No. 81). The 2013 Hall of Fame inductee retired after the 2009-10 season, playing 26 seasons, including nine with Chicago from 1990-99. He ranks fourth in Blackhawks history among defensemen in assists (395) and points (487) and fifth in goals (92) and games (664). He was Blackhawks captain from 1995-99 and attended Mount Carmel High School on Chicago’s south side and later the University of Wisconsin.
“Rocky wanted Chris to be the next Blackhawk to have his jersey retired and would have loved to see this moment,” Danny Wirtz said referencing his father, owner W. Rockwell “Rocky” Wirtz, who died July 25 at age 70. “We look forward to celebrating Chris’ career in February with his family, friends and sharing it all with Blackhawks fans.”
Chelios is a 2011 inductee of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Montreal Canadiens (1986) and Red Wings (2002, 2008) and three-time winner of the Norris Trophy (1988-89, 1992-93, 1995-96) voted as the top defenseman in the NHL. He had 948 points (185 goals, 763 assists) in 1,651 regular-season games for the Canadiens, Blackhawks, Red Wings and Atlanta Thrashers, and 144 points (31 goals, 113 assists) in 266 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He ranks ninth in NHL history in regular-season games payed and first in playoff games.
Chelios was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players of all time in 2017.
Among United States-born defensemen in NHL history, Chelios is first in games played (1,651), third in assists (763) and points (948), eighth in goals (185), tied for sixth in game-winning goals (31), seventh in power-play goals (69) and fourth in power-play points (407). His 31 goals, 113 assists, 144 points, 60 power-play points and games played (266) in the postseason lead United States skaters at his position. He’s tied for first in game-winning goals (six) and his 14 power-play goals rank second behind Brian Rafalski (17).
Chelios was named among the 100 Greatest NHL Players as part of the League’s centennial celebration in 2017.
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“We are thrilled to have Chris Chelios’ number hang forever in the United Center rafters,” Blackhawks president Jaime Faulkner said. “There is a lot to come for the organization as we celebrate achievements of the many great players who have worn the Blackhawks sweater. With our upcoming Centennial celebration during the 2025-26 season, plans to celebrate our alumni and additional jersey retirements will continue to emerge as we look forward to sharing that with our fans.”
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