Hawks honor Chris Chelios on heritage night

Friday, Dec. 17, 2010
9:02 PM
By Tracey Myers
CSNChicago.com

Chris Chelios was hearing a mix of cheers and boos as he addressed the crowd at his Heritage Night on Friday. Not surprisingly, he knew the right thing to say.

Come on, folks, lets let bygones be bygones, said the former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman, as the applause drowned out the boos.

Chelios was honored with a video montage before taking the ice with his family and fellow former Blackhawks including Jeremy Roenick, Tony Esposito and Denis Savard.

Chelios talked at intermission about the response.

Maybe I shouldve waited 10 more years, Chelios said. Everyone had convinced me for the past two months that it wasnt going to happen and it did. Its the whole Detroit-Chicago thing. I still work for the Red Wings, which is probably in the back of their minds. Im still one of their own and theyre going to have to deal with that. Im still proud that I grew up here, had the long career and the Cups. For a kid coming from Chicago, not too many have accomplished what Ive done.

Chelios, who was at the Blackhawks Cup parade this summer, said its great to see whats happening here now and the league needed this. They needed (the Blackhawks) to be more competitive, and now theyre there.