Former Red Wings defenseman Jake Chelios retires

A son of a legend has hung up his skates.

On Sunday, former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jake Chelios announced his retirement from hockey at the age of 34.

Chelios had spent the last six years of his professional career in the Kontinental Hockey League with Kunlun Red Star, now known as the Shanghai Dragons. He took to the team’s social media to say his goodbyes.

“As my career comes to an end,” Chelios said. “I want to thank everyone I’ve had the privilege of working with over the last six years. Fans, thank you for your support. No matter where our ‘home’ has been. Boss, thank you. Management and staff, thank you for your support. You work your ass off every day to keep the team going and growing. To my teammates and their families, thank you. My wife and I have had the rare opportunity to play and travel the world with these amazing people and have made friends for life.”

Chelios, the son of Hockey Hall of Famer and former Red Wing Chris Chelios, climbed his way through the hockey ranks, having the chance to play alongside his brother, Dean, a Michigan State University. He went undrafted, turning pro on minor-league contracts before signing his first NHL deal with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2016.

The Chicago native spent two years with the team before signing a one-year contract with Detroit. He spent most of the 2018-19 campaign with the Red Wings’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, before making his NHL debut in March of that season. He ended up playing five games, but didn’t register a point.

From there, it was off to China to play for Red Star. Thanks to playing three years for the team, he was eligible to become a member of the Chinese National Team, playing for the country at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. He also helped China win the gold medal at the 2022 IIHF Men’s Division 2A World Championship, taking home the bronze in the D1B Men’s Worlds the following year.

Chelios’ most recent endeavor in international hockey was playing for Greece in the Challenger Series this past spring. His eight points in three games helped the team win the tournament.

In 305 AHL games, Chelios scored 17 goals and 92 assists for 101 points. In 277 appearances in the KHL, he notched 16 goals and 56 assists for 72 points.