Joining the Red Wings organization as a free agent on July 1, 2018, defenseman Jake Chelios produced 15 points (1-14—15) in 61 games with the Griffins and skated in five games with Detroit.

61 GP, 1 goal, 14 assists, 15 points, +18 rating, 28 PIM with GRG
5 GP, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 points, even rating, 2 PIM, 17:12 average ice time with DRW

4 GP, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 points, +1 rating, 7 PIM

Unrestricted free agent

1 – Chelios banked his first goal as a Griffin during a 3-1 victory at Rockford on Jan. 18. He added an assist on Wade Megan’s third-period empty-net goal to help Grand Rapids end an eight-game winless streak at the BMO Harris Bank Center.

6 – The son of Hockey Hall of Famer and former Red Wing Chris Chelios, Jake and Chris became the sixth father-son combination in Wings history, joining Sid and Gerry Abel, Adam and Andy Brown, Bill and Peter Dineen, Gordie and Mark Howe, and Jim Peters Sr. and Jr. Jake and Chris are the first father and son duo to both play for Grand Rapids during their careers, as Chris appeared in two games with Grand Rapids during the 2008-09 campaign,

+18 – Chelios’ career-high plus-18 rating finished second on the team (Vili Saarijarvi, plus-19). He tied for 16th among AHL defensemen in plus/minus rating.

61 – After an injury limited him to 41 games with the Charlotte Checkers in 2017-18, Chelios suited up in 61 games with the Griffins.

100 – Chelios notched an assist on Jan. 5 at Hershey to record his 100th career point in the AHL.

100 – While making his Detroit debut, Chelios became the 100th player in franchise history to make his NHL debut after playing for Grand Rapids.

179 – Chelios became the 179th Griffins alumnus to play in the NHL when he made his debut with the Red Wings on March 29 vs. New Jersey. He finished with a plus-one rating and one shot in 17:11 of ice time during Detroit’s 4-0 win.

250 – Chelios played in his 250th career AHL game on Nov. 24 at Chicago. He made his AHL debut with the Wolves on April 11, 2014 at Iowa.

300 – Chelios skated in his 300th game as a professional on March 6 vs. Texas. In his career, Chelios has appeared in 296 AHL games, 15 in the ECHL and 5 in the NHL.

Griffiti Magazine Issue No. 2 – Making a name for himself

Detroit News – Red Wings’ Jake Chelios basking in ‘unbelievable experience’ of NHL debut

Detroit Red Wings – Jake Chelios to make NHL debut with Red Wings against Devils

Photo at top by Sam Iannamico/Griffins