Report: Red Wings cut ties with Chris Chelios

By @MichaelCaples –

According to TSN’s Darren Dreger (and re-shared by NBC Sports), the Red Wings and Chris Chelios are going their separate ways.

Dreger says that Chelios is exploring opportunities with the National Hockey League Players’ Association, and the Red Wings let him go.

The quote:

“I’m told that Chelios went to the Detroit Red Wings to say that he was involved with (NHL player agents) Anton Thun, Kurt Overhardt and Rich Winter, as they try to strengthen the National Hockey League Players’ Association and there could perhaps be a role within the PA as an ombudsman. Well, you can’t work for the Detroit Red Wings and get involved in this process, so to make it clean, the Detroit Red Wings essentially cut him loose.”

Chelios has been a part of the Red Wings’ management team since his retirement. He’s worked as an assistant coach the last two seasons after transitioning from a management role.

The Hall-of-Famer retired in 2010 after 26 seasons with the Wings, Canadiens, Blackhawks and Thrashers. His 1,651 career NHL games are the most of any defenseman in league history.