ATLANTA -- They left the Thrashers dressing room after the morning skate looking like any other two young hockey players, Zach Bogosian and his messy-haired teammate in the hoodie and flip-flops.
At a glance, you'd never, ever think there was a 28-year age difference between them.
But then, you'd also never know Chris Chelios played his first NHL game before seven Thrashers were even born.
"He was drafted in 1981, and I was born nine years later," Bogosian, a Massena, N.Y., native, had said a few minutes earlier about Chelios, who was recalled from the Thrashers' AHL affiliate in Chicago to participate in his 25th NHL season. "Growing up, he was actually one of the players I looked up to, that I followed, because he was an American defenceman. It's really cool to have him on the same team."
The 48-year-old Chelios, who has played for the Habs, Blackhawks and Red Wings, was hoping to sign on with the Rangers at the start of the season. But when they didn't bite, he hooked up with his first non-Original Six team.
"I have not once seen myself on TV yet or a picture of myself in a Thrashers jersey," he said when asked how that feels. "It's the God's truth, I haven't. My kids watched the second game, and said I look goofy. But they're pretty excited about me getting back after this long."
Chelios thought about hanging up the blades, but said he didn't because teams kept calling. He wouldn't have gone to any other AHL team, but Chicago is his hometown and playing for the Wolves gave him a chance to spend some time with his parents.
Chelios had five goals, 17 assists and 24 PIMs in 46 games with the Wolves.
"We had the fortunate thing of being able to watch him all year, and how he's led that young team ... They went from worst to first and he was a big part of it," said Thrashers coach John Anderson. "We needed some leadership in our room and we were pretty confident he could help us."
Anderson, who played against Chelios for more than a decade, is right when he says Chelios doesn't look like he's 48 years old.
"My wife says she wants me to go on his diet," said Anderson.
SUTTON'S PLACE
Former Thrasher Andy Sutton has a 100-year-old home in Atlanta that he and his wife renovated, and Wednesday he got a chance to stay in it. The Senators blueliner also has his golf membership in Atlanta, his best friend is here and he says he's considering living in Atlanta when he retires. "It's a really cool city," said Sutton. Maybe, but it's still not a hockey town.
COACH IN LEAF LORE
Twenty-five years ago Thursday, Thrashers coach John Anderson began a record 10-game goal-scoring streak with the Leafs. "I remember it," the former winger said. "It ended up in Boston, I had a 3-on-1 with Bill Derlago and Rick Vaive and I ended up shooting it and scoring. I remember jumping up in the air ... for me, being a Maple Leaf guy, forever to be in their record books was pretty big to me."
STARTS AND STOPS
Randy Cunneyworth on Daniel Alfredsson: "He is the second-best captain the team has ever had," the Thrashers assistant coach and a former Ottawa bearer of the 'C' joked about Ottawa's current captain ... The exclusion of D Matt Carkner from the lineup Thursday night means Chris Phillips and Jarkko Ruutu are the only two Senators to play in every game this season.
don.brennan@sunmedia.ca
