48-year old Chelios coming back to the NHL

**BREAKING NEWS**

Yep, you read that right. A little over a week after signing 48-year old hockey legend Chris Chelios to a contract to have him ready and available and playing for their top minor league affiliate, the Atlanta Thrashers are calling him up to the big club.

According to a tweet from Sporting News Hockey Writer Craig Custance (former Thrashers beat writer) and ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, Chelios will if not called up today, be called up sometime this week.

The story from Custance and sportingnews.com RIGHT HERE

((Chris Chelios and fan//Courtesy: hockeyworldblog.com))

When signed, Thrashers GM Don Waddell said that he was looking to utlilize Chelios' experience to help the very young Thrashers try and drive to the playoffs. With the Thrash being trash in the past 3 games, all losses and their playoff hopes fading fast, the team is obviously looking to Chelios to help stablize and inspire the team and help keep them in contention.

This should be very, very interesting. Chelios has been solid in Chicago with 5 goals and 17 assists and a plus 34 rating.

Enjoy this feature on Chelios while in Chicago from JP Cadorin of TimeWarnerSports. Thanks You Tube:

PM UPDATE: He got the call... officially, from the Thrashers their ownselves...

“Chris has been an outstanding leader and mentor for our young players in Chicago and his level of play has made him deserving of this opportunity,” said Thrashers GM Don Waddell. “He’s a tremendous competitor who strengthens our group of defensemen and instantly adds a veteran presence to our locker room.”

Just When You Thought Chelly Was Out...

The Atlanta Thrashers pull him back in...

At the age of 48...

He must clear waivers first, and will stay with the the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League until the Thrashers call him up to the big club.

Chelios signed with the Wolves last fall. He played in 44 games, scoring 21 points, and registering a plus-35 rating.

The Chicago native has played in 1,644 NHL games with 185 goals and 763 assists during a career with Montreal, Chicago and Detroit. He has 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.

Here's Chelios reminiscing about his juniors coach, Jules Winnfield...
((HT: NHL))


The Thrashers could use some "Inglewood Jack" right now, anyway...

According to the AJC's Chris Vivlamore, the contract is a two-way deal- $105K with the Wolves and $700K with the Thrash...

Chelios Not Offered A Red Wings Deal

((HT: Freep.com/Sipple))

Ken Holland met with Chris Chelios today and thanked him for his 10 years of service with the club.

"I met with Chelios and told him we would not be offering him a contract," Holland said. "He wants to play again. I really think that he does have another year in him. I think he can play 10 to 15 minutes. I think he can play on a third pair."

But with the Wings' top four of Nicklas Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Niklas Kronwall and Brad Stuart, plus the emergence of Jonathan Ericsson, there wasn't room for Chelios on the roster.

Chelios, 47, was not immediately available for comment. He had no points and a plus-1 rating in 28 games with the Wings this season.

Here's a flashback with Chelios and a mentor from his youth hockey days- Jules Winnfield.