"Through multiple generations of players and fans, Chris Chelios will forever be etched into the history of the Chicago Blackhawks," said Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz. "His contributions to our organization and the overall sport of hockey stand tall. We are proud to welcome Chris and his family back home to the United Center and we are honored to call him an ambassador."

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that Hall of Famer Chris Chelios will serve as team ambassador, joining legends Tony Esposito, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and Denis Savard in representing the organization at events at the United Center and throughout the Chicagoland area. Chelios will be officially introduced at the Blackhawks Convention this weekend at the Hilton Chicago.

"We are excited to welcome Chris back to the Blackhawks family," Blackhawks President and CEO John McDonough said. "His outstanding Blackhawks career and his passion for the game will complement the work that our current ambassadors carry out to represent the organization."

"To be able to join the Blackhawks organization in this role means everything to me," said Chelios. "I'm very thankful to Rocky Wirtz and John McDonough for this opportunity to return to the Blackhawks. Chicago is my hometown and returning to this organization is very special to me and my family."

Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 8, 2013, Chelios played nine seasons (1990-99) with the Blackhawks where he scored 92 goals and added 487 assists in 664 games played. He is fourth all-time in goals, assists and points among Blackhawks defenseman. He was awarded the Norris Trophy for best NHL defenseman twice with the Blackhawks-in 1993 and 1996 and was named to seven NHL All-Star Games as a member of the Blackhawks.

The Chicago native served as Blackhawks captain from 1995-99. He reached the playoffs seven times with the Blackhawks, including a run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1992. He appeared in 65 playoff games and scored 12 goals and added 36 assists with the Blackhawks.

Prior to beginning his 26-year NHL career with Montreal in 1983-84, Chelios attended Mount Carmel High School and played at the University of Wisconsin. The defenseman played in 1,651 regular season NHL games and notched 185 goals, 763 assists and 948 points. His 1,651 career games played are the most by a defenseman in NHL history and sixth-most among all players.

A member of three Stanley Cup Championship teams (Montreal, 1986, Detroit, 2002 and Detroit 2008, Chelios played in 266 career Stanley Cup Playoffs games with 31 goals and 113 assists. In addition to Chicago, he played with Montreal (1983-1990); Detroit (1999-2009) and Atlanta (2009-10). He represented Team USA in four Olympics (1984, 1998, 2002 and 2006), winning a silver medal in 2002 and served as an assistant coach for the team at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Chelios most recently was a member of the Detroit Red Wings front office for the previous eight seasons.