You can cross Chris Chelios’ name off your list for being the Blackhawks next president.
The Hockey Hall of Famer said Wednesday on ESPN 1000’s “Carmen and Jurko” show that he’s enjoyed his role the past two years as an ambassador and doesn’t want to add to his workload by being more involved in hockey operations.
“I am looking for ways not to work. That’s my ambition right now,” the former defenseman said jokingly when asked about taking on a bigger role with the organization. “I’m so happy with being an ambassador and glad that John [McDonough] and Rocky [Wirtz] brought me back to the organization. That was always might intend when my kids moved on and started to pursue their careers.
“Would I love to coach? Yes, but the grind, the travel [is a lot]. I was so luck when I was in Detroit that they gave me a part-time coaching job where I just did home games and [had to] be on the ice for practices. If down the road if that’s something the Hawks and Jeremy [Colliton] would want my intake in [that would be] great. I’m never going to offer, but if they ask me for sure I’d love to maybe light a fire again in that dressing room or on the ice in practice. We’ll see. I never rule anything out now. I love being an ambassador with Bobby [Hull], Tony [Esposito] and [Dennis Savard].”
Chelios was brought up by many media members and fans as a possible candidate to be the Blackhawks’ next president when Wirtz released McDonough from the role in April. Chelios said he reached out to McDonough after the move was made.
“I did talk to John and the only question I asked was, ‘did it just happen suddenly?’ And [McDonough] said it did,” Chelios said. “I didn’t know if it was expected or something. I didn’t want to get into it too much. There’s no question the amount of respect he still has for Rocky Wirtz and what a ride it was for John. I’ve known [McDonough] for 25-30 years going back to the Cubs. We’ve been great friends.
“No one is better at what he does and what he’s done. Geez, what a great run with the Hawks he had, and I wish him nothing but the best. If he wants a job he’s going to land a job so quick and you can’t question Rocky either. I guess it’s like a marriage, sometimes for whatever reason it goes south and sometimes you need change. It’s going on what three years the Hawks might not have made the playoffs.”
Chelios had 487 points (92 goals, 395 assists) in 664 games during nine seasons with the Blackhawks from 1990-99. He was traded to the Red Wings in March 1999 then won the Cup in 2002 and 2008 with Detroit before playing a mere seven games with the Thrashers during the 2009-10 season to cap his 26-year career.