The post Michael Jordan attends Chris Chelios’ jersey retirement ceremony originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The star-studded list of people participating in the jersey retirement of former Chicago Blackhawks guard Chris Chelios continues to grow and now includes Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan.
Chelios joined 670 The Score’s Mully and Haugh on Wednesday morning and revealed that Jordan plans to attend his ceremony.
“I think the secret is out,” Chelios told The Score. “I’ll try to invite everyone who was an influence on me. Obviously (Michael Jordan) was a big part of my ’90s. Michael was there from ’83, I got there in ’91. I met him that spring , attending a White Sox game with his assistant George Kohler.”
“Like, I said, I’ve been given a pretty good Rolodex over the course of my career. So I’m loading up. This is the last hooray. I’m going to make it a good one.”
Chelios learned the news that his jersey would be retired at a Pearl Jam concert at the United Center on Sept. 7 when his friend Eddie Vedder delivered the news to him.
Beginning at 2:15 p.m., the Blackhawks will host a panel discussion in the atrium moderated by Ed Belfour, Jeremy Roenick, Tony Amonte and Denis Savard.
A team ceremony honoring Chelios is scheduled to begin at 3:10 p.m.
The first 10,000 fans to come to the United Center will receive a replica banner commemorating his No. 7 jersey. A Cheli’s Chili pop-up shop will also be up and running. It’s an indirect homage to Chelios’ famous Cheli’s Chili bar, originally located on Madison Street.
Chelios will become the ninth player in franchise history to retire, joining Glenn Hall (No. 1), Keith Magnussen (No. 3), Pierre Pilot (No. 3) 3rd), after Bobby Hull (9th) and Dennis Savard (18th), Stan Mikita (21st), Tony Esposito (Tony Esposito (35th) and Marian Hossa (81st).
Chelios spent nine of 26 NHL seasons in his native Chicago, scoring 487 points (92 goals, 395 assists) in 664 regular season games and 48 in 65 playoff games. points (12 goals, 36 assists). His 487 points rank fourth among men’s defensemen in franchise history.
During his time with the Blackhawks, Chelios appeared in five NHL All-Star Games, won two Norris Trophies as the league’s top defenseman, and even received Hart Trophy votes (league MVP) in two of those seasons. He also served as team captain from 1995-99.
On November 8, 2013, Chelios was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The game also marked Patrick Kane’s first time at the United Center since being traded to the New York Rangers one year and four days before the Feb. 25 game. His final game at the United Center was on February 21st when the Blackhawks hosted the Vegas Golden Knights.
He played the remainder of the 2022-23 season with the Rangers before signing with the Detroit Red Wings earlier this season. Kane has scored seven goals and provided 10 assists in 20 games this season.
Kane is sure to get a standing ovation from the United Center crowd in attendance.
NBC Sports Chicago will feature special coverage of the awards ceremony titled “Chris Chelios: 7 Forever” prior to the Blackhawks’ pregame broadcast starting at 3 p.m.
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