Wings D Chelios sets playoff games record

Apr 13, 2008 - 1:12 AM DETROIT (Ticker) -- Chris Chelios added another impressive achievement to his storied career.

The defenseman became the NHL's all-time leader in playoff games played Saturday, when he suited up for the Detroit Red Wings in their 4-2 victory in Game Two of the Western Conference quarterfinals against the Nashville Predators.

"The best thing about it is we won, so I can enjoy it a little more, I guess make a little bigger deal about it," Chelios said. "I never really kept track of individual things I've done. I've always been more proud of the team stuff, but it's a pretty good accomplishment. My kids, my friends all think it's something great.

"I'll look back on it someday and think it's a pretty big feat to accomplish."

When he took his first shift, Chelios was credited with appearing in his 248th career postseason game, passing Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy for first place on the all-time list. The two were teammates on the Montreal Canadiens from 1984-90.

"We've been best friends forever," Chelios said. "Goalies that I've played with have been my best friends. He's done so much in his career, Hall of Famer. He's played a lot, I've played a lot, but by longevity, I've stuck around a little longer."

Detroit's current netminder, Dominik Hasek was happy for his teammate.

"He's doing a great job," the six-time Vezina Trophy winner said. "He doesn't play 25-30 minutes as he used to, he plays like 15-20 minutes. But he's still doing a great job. I think it's a great inspiration for everyone when you see him battle so hard. It's a great inspiration for me and for everyone. I like to have him always on the ice."

In his those playoff contests, Chelios has recorded 31 goals and 113 assists.

The 46-year-old also holds the record for most overall trips to the postseason with 23. Chelios has missed the postseason just once in his 24-year career, which began with Montreal in 1983-84.

A second-round pick in 1981, Chelios helped the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup championship in 1986. He also won the first of his three Norris Trophies with Montreal in 1989 before being traded to his native Chicago in June 1990.

With the Blackhawks, Chelios captured two more Norris Trophies (1993, 1996). He was dealt to Detroit in March 1999 and has spent the last 8 1/2 seasons with the Red Wings, helping the club to a Stanley Cup title in 2002.

An 11-time All-Star and four-time U.S. Olympian, Chelios has registered 185 goals, 763 assists and 2,873 penalty minutes in 1,616 career regular-season games with the Canadiens, Blackhawks and Red Wings.