The Chicago Blackhawks will retire Chris Chelios’ number 7 jersey. This was announced during a Pearl Jam concert in Chicago where Eddie Vedder, the frontman of the band, brought Chelios on stage. Vedder revealed that it was the late owner Rocky Wirtz’s “last wish” to have Chelios’ number retired by the Blackhawks. The team surprised Chelios with a tribute video.
The Blackhawks officially announced on Friday that they will retire Chelios’ number 7 before their game against the Detroit Red Wings on February 25. Chelios will join the ranks of other Blackhawks legends whose numbers have been retired, including Glenn Hall, Keith Magnuson, Pierre Pilote, Bobby Hull, Denis Savard, Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito, and Marian Hossa.
Chelios was acquired by the Blackhawks in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens in 1990. He spent nine seasons with the Blackhawks, recording 92 goals, 395 assists, and 487 points. Chelios won the Norris Trophy twice while with the Blackhawks, in 1993 and 1996, and led the team to the Stanley Cup Final in 1992.
Throughout his 26-season career in the NHL, Chelios scored a total of 185 goals, 763 assists, and 948 points in 1,651 games played. He is a three-time Stanley Cup champion and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013.
