CHICAGO (AP) — Chris Chelios, the 47-year-old defenseman who spent 25 years in the NHL, signed Tuesday with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League.

Chelios, who played last season with the Detroit Red Wings, will make his debut with the Wolves on Friday during a home game against Manitoba. Terms were not disclosed.

Chelios was limited to 28 games during the 2008-09 regular season because of a broken leg suffered during an exhibition game. He played in six games for the Red Wings during the playoffs, which Detroit lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Chelios, a Chicago native, has played in 1,644 NHL games with 185 goals and 763 assists during a career with Montreal, the Blackhawks and the Red Wings. He won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman three times, played in 11 NHL All-Star games and was on three Stanley Cup winners, one with Montreal and two with Detroit. He also played in three Olympics.

The Wolves signed Chelios one day after firing coach Don Granato following the team’s 1-5 start.

The Wolves’ roster includes some 20-year-old players who are the same age as Chelios’ oldest son.

“I’ve got no goal, just keep playing,” Chelios said last week after skating with the Wolves for the first time. “I’m not going to come out and jeopardize this team’s success. It’s a challenge. I want to see if I can play.

“My son’s as old as some of these kids, but it’s going to be fun. They’re very respectful kids and I intend to have a good time with these guys.”

Chelios came up with Montreal in 1984 and was traded to Chicago in 1990. He captained the Blackhawks from 1995 to 1999 and was traded to Detroit in March 1999.

Copy the Story Link