Michael Jordan makes surprise return to United Center thanks to Chris Chelios

Former Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan is expected to make a rare appearance at the United Center on Sunday, but it won’t be to watch his former team play. Instead, Jordan is expected to attend an NHL game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings.

The Blackhawks will retire former linebacker Chris Chelios’ jersey before the game. Chelios is one of the greatest players in franchise history. During their time with the Blackhawks and in the years that followed, Chelios and Jordan developed a friendship that included multiple rounds on the golf course.

Chelios appears regularly on Chicago’s all-sports talk radio station WSCR-AM. During his most recent appearance on Wednesday, he revealed that Jordan is one of the dignitaries to be unveiled, with the former linebacker’s No. 7 jersey joining other Blackhawks greats like Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita at the United Center Arena rafters.

Ironically, Michael Jordan was not featured earlier in the season when the Bulls were celebrating their 1995-96 championship team and honoring the organization’s inaugural graduating class with the Ring of Honor.

“I’m going to have them bring in all the people that have had an influence on me and obviously (Jordan) was a big part of me in the ’90s,” Chelios said during an appearance on the Mulley and Howe show.

In addition to Chelios having his jersey retired, former Blackhawks star Patrick Kane will make his first appearance at the United Center since leaving the team, playing for the visiting Red Wings.