Hockey Capsules: Chelios finally hangs 'em up after 26 NHL seasons
DETROIT (AP) — Chris Chelios, the longest-tenured defenseman in NHL history, is finally hanging up his skates.
After 26 NHL seasons and three Stanley Cups, Chelios announced his retirement Tuesday at the age of 48.
"I guess I’ve been dreading this day for a long time," he said at a news conference in Detroit.
Chelios, who won three Norris Trophies during a career that included stops in Montreal, Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta, will become an adviser with the Red Wings. His new job will include working with Detroit’s front office and coaching staffs while helping to develop and mentor young players.
In NHL history, only Hall of Famer Gordie Howe was older than Chelios when he played, skating at 52 for the Hartford Whalers during the 1979-80 season almost a decade after leaving the Red Wings.
Chelios also is the only player in NHL history to appear in at least 400 games with three different teams.
Known for his strict workout regimen and surprising endurance given his age, he played the fourth-most regular season games in NHL history (1,651) and the most postseason games in NHL history (266).
Chelios said he has "nothing left in the tank."
Chelios represented the U.S. on four Olympic hockey teams, including three as team captain — in 1984, in 1998, the silver-medal team in 2002 and in 2006. He spent seven seasons with the Canadiens before being traded to his hometown Chicago Blackhawks in June 1990. He played nine seasons there before being traded to conference rival Detroit.
He was limited to 28 games with Detroit during the 2008-09 regular season because of a broken leg suffered during an exhibition game and the Wings chose not to bring him back following season. Not ready to retire just yet, Chelios signed a few months later with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League, and in March was recalled by the Atlanta Thrashers, where he appeared in seven games.
"I loved every minute of it," he said of his long career.
Chelios, who ranks second all-time among defensemen with 2,891 penalty minutes, had this to say Tuesday to the fans of opposing teams: "I hope you’ll forgive me for the things I did to some of the players on your teams."
Oilers G Khabibulin gets 30 days in Ariz. DUI case
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin has been sentenced to 30 days in jail stemming from his Arizona drunken-driving conviction.
The four-time All-Star received the sentence Tuesday in Scottsdale City Court. He also was fined $5,100 and must enroll in an alcohol-treatment program.
He was ordered to report to jail Saturday, but that could be delayed because he's appealing his sentence.
The 37-year-old played for Phoenix from 1996-99 and still has a home in Paradise Valley. He was pulled over in his Ferrari on Feb. 8, after the car was clocked at 70 mph in a 45 mph zone.
Police said an officer smelled alcohol and Khabibulin was arrested after a field sobriety test.
Khabibulin signed a four-year, $15 million deal with Edmonton last year.
Nashville adds D Johnson to 1-year deal
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Nashville Predators have signed defenseman Aaron Johnson to a one-year, two-way deal.
The Predators announced the deal Tuesday that will allow them to play Johnson either in Nashville or send him to their American Hockey League affiliate in Milwaukee.
Johnson, 27, played 22 games with Calgary and 19 with Edmonton while tying his career-high with 10 points. The 6-foot-1, 208-pound defenseman averaged a career-high 15 minutes, 39 seconds of ice time last season.
A third-round pick by Columbus in the 2001 draft, Johnson has 46 points and 191 penalty minutes in 225 career games. He also has played for Chicago, the Islanders and Columbus.
Islanders sign Doug Weight to 1-year deal
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) — The New York Islanders have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with team captain Doug Weight.
Weight and will be playing his 20th NHL season, and his third the Islanders. Last year, the 39-year-old center had one goal and 16 assists in 36 games before he missed the rest of the season with a shoulder injury that required surgery.
The Islanders made the announcement Tuesday.
The four-time All-Star comes into the season with 276 goals and 748 assists in 1,220 games with the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks and the Islanders.
Sabres re-sign forward Ellis to 1-year contract
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed unrestricted free agent forward Matt Ellis to a one-year contract.
A gritty fourth-line player, Ellis rejoins the team for a third season after setting career-highs with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) and 72 games played last year. The signing was announced by the team as Ellis celebrated his 29th birthday on Tuesday.
Overall, he has 13 goals and 20 assists in 187 career NHL games split over parts of the past four seasons. He previously played with Los Angeles and Detroit, after breaking in with the Red Wings in 2006-07.
He originally was signed by Detroit in 2002 as an undrafted free agent.
