Chelios takes rightful place in Hall of Fame
'Best American-born player' becomes Badgers' first Hall of Famer on first ballot
"
He's the best American-born player ever."
― NBC broadcaster and U.S. Hockey Hall of
Famer Eddie Olcyzk.
In the future, when one wonders "Where are
they now?" with regards to Wisconsin 1983
NCAA champion defenseman Chris Chelios, the
answer will forever be "Toronto, in the Hockey
Hall of Fame."
Chelios became the first Wisconsin men's
hockey player elected to the Hockey Hall of
Fame this past Monday and joins "Badger Bob"
Johnson in the sports' shrine to its greatest
players and builders.
Three-time Stanley Cup champion, threetime Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's best
defenseman, four-time U.S. Olympian, threetime U.S. Olympic captain and 11-time NHL
All-Star Game participant are just a few of the
accolades that made Chelios a first ballot lock
36 » VARSITY
JULY 11, 2013
for the Hall.
Arguably the greatest American-born hockey
player of all-time, Chelios scored 22 times and
posted 97 points in 88 games for Wisconsin
from 1981-83. He was part of the 1983 NCAA
Frozen Four All-Tournament Team after helping the Badgers capture their fourth NCAA title.
He was also named second-team All-WCHA
that season. Chelios met his wife, Tracee, while
attending Wisconsin.
The first player in history to skate at least
400 games with three different NHL franchises
(Montreal, Chicago, Detroit), Chelios retired at
the age of 48 at the conclusion of the 2009-10
campaign.
The second-oldest player in NHL history,
Chelios retired fifth in NHL history for regular
season games played (1,651), which ranks tops
among American-born skaters and all defense-
