Western Collegiate Hockey Association
Second Consecutive Selection As Team Captain For Veteran Defenseman
Aug. 1, 2001
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey today announced that veteran defenseman Chris Chelios (Chicago, Ill./Detroit Red Wings) has been selected as team captain of the 2002 United States Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team that will compete at the XIX Olympic Winter Games, to be held Feb. 8-24 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Chelios also served as captain of the 1998 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, when National Hockey League players made their debut at the XVIII Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. On July 25, Chelios was added to the preliminary roster to become one of 14 NHL players named to the 2002 United States Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team.
The announcement was made by 2002 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team Head Coach Herb Brooks (White Bear Lake, Minn.), General Manager Craig Patrick (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Associate General Manager Larry Pleau (Lynn, Mass.), and Director of Player Personnel Art Berglund (Colorado Springs, Colo.).
"Being named team captain was a pleasant surprise and it's one of the greatest honors for any American player. I have a great deal of respect for all the players on the team. It's an honor and I'm up to the challenge," said Chelios. "I recognize this is my last chance to win a medal in the Olympics. It's one thing I haven't accomplished. And with the Games being held in Salt Lake City, it seems like maybe it was meant to be. It's a matter of putting it all together at the right time.
"I'm glad that we will get some time in September for an orientation camp. It will help us prepare and I think that we're going to be more ready than we were in Nagano."
A member of Team USA in 1984 at the XIV Olympic Winter Games in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, Chelios registered four points (0-4) in six games. In 1998 at the XVIII Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, Chelios served as team captain and tied for second on the U.S. with two points (2-0) in four contests. His extensive background with USA Hockey includes helping guide the U.S. to the inaugural 1996 World Cup of Hockey Championship when he totaled four points (0-4) in seven games.
His international playing experience also includes skating for the United States in three Canada Cup tournaments (1984, 1987 and 1991), contributing to a silver-medal winning performance by the Americans in 1991. He was also a member of the U.S. National Junior Team at the 1982 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in Minnesota.
In 2000-01, Chelios completed his 18th season in the NHL and his first full year with the Red Wings. Prior to joining Detroit in 1999-2000, he was a member of the Chicago Blackhawks for eight seasons beginning in 1990-91. A 10-time selection to the NHL All-Star Game (1985, 1990-1998 and 2000), Chelios began his NHL career in 1983-84 with the Montreal Canadiens and helped lead the Habs to the Stanley Cup title in 1986-87.
During his career Chelios has amassed 835 points (168-667) in 1,181 regular-season games. He is also a three-time recipient of the James Norris Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the league's most outstanding defenseman (1988-89, 1992-93 and 1995-96).
He played two seasons (1981-82 and 1982-83) at the University of Wisconsin before joining the U.S. Olympic Team in 1983-84.
Chris Chelios
Detroit Red Wings
Defenseman
Height: 6-1 (187)
Weight: 190 (86.5)
Born: Jan. 25, 1962
Birthplace: Chicago, Ill.