By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
The Atlanta Thrashers have just added the oldest player in North American hockey. The team has agreed to terms with 48-year-old defenseman Chris Chelios.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The veteran defenseman will begin his journey with their American Hockey League affiliate. Then, if General Manager Don Waddell feels like he can perform at the highest level, he’ll be called up to the Thrashers.
READ MORE: Click here for our latest NHL coverage
⚡️ Level up your game-day experience! ⚡️ Add some extra thrill to every play by betting with our trusted sports betting partners. Click the link below to get in on the action! 👇
The Capital Sports Report is your source for national sports news, but we need YOUR help to keep going strong! 💪 Just like traditional newspapers, we rely on your support to bring you the best coverage possible. Donations allow us to expand our reach, travel to cover more events, and bring you unique stories and perspectives you won’t find anywhere else. Invest in the future of sports journalism – donate today! You can make a monetary donation here.
“You never know,” Waddell told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s website (www.ajc.com) when asked about the possibility of Chelios joining the Thrashers. “We have a busy schedule. When you go into a run like this, you like to have 10 defensemen in case you get a couple of injuries.”
Before signing with the Thrashers, Chelios had been playing in the AHL. He appeared in 44 games with the Chicago Wolves before signing with the Thrashers.
NHL.com is reporting that Chelios will remain with the Wolves until he clears waivers. If the Thrashers do call up Chelios, he would then become the oldest player in the NHL this season.
However, he would not be the oldest player in league history. Gordie Howe has that record.
Howe is the oldest player in league history when he played during the 1979-80 season at 52. He played at 52 for the Hartford Whalers.
READ MORE: Click here for our latest Sports coverage
Chelios was the Montreal Canadiens’ second-round draft pick in the 1981 NHL Draft. The Chicago Illinois native last played in the NHL during the 2008-09 season with the Detroit Red Wings when he played in 28 games.
The long-time hockey player played for the Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, and Red Wings up until this point in his career.
Editorial Note: There are affiliated links on this page. We may receive compensation if you purchase a product through a link on our site. If you enjoy our work and would like to donate to support our coverage, you can do so through this PayPal link https://paypal.me/tcsrmedianj
Follow Us on Social Media:Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram, Tumblr, YouTube, and TruthSocial
Check out our videos: Videos Keep Independent Journalism Alive! Ad-free experience and Exclusive Premium-plus content. Join our Paid Substack for additional content for $10 per month. This is ad-free content. We believe that what you read matters and great writing is valuable. Through Substack, writers can flourish by being paid directly by their readers.© 2007-2025 The Capital Sports Report. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcasted, rewritten, or redistributed.
