By Nick Barnowski –
Dean Chelios is ready to go.
After missing last season with a torn labrum, the Michigan State senior is amped for his final year of NCAA hockey.
To get ready for the upcoming season, Chelios took part in the Detroit Red Wings’ annual summer development camp; the 24-year-old had the chance to share the ice with his father, Chris, test his injured shoulder, and play in game-like situations for the first time since his surgery.
“It was good, really good,” he said. “It was nice to play with that competition and competitiveness.”
Chelios’ injury came in one of the first practices of last season, where a teammate lifted his stick and tore his labrum in four places. It was a huge disappointment to Chelios, as he had to sit on the sidelines throughout a difficult Michigan State season in which the team went 14-26-3.
“I had to watch my team play every single game last year, it was weird, I kind of felt like I was a fan or something,” Chelios, who attended the development camp for the fourth time this summer, said.
He was granted a medical redshirt for this season, which allowed him to take a slower approach to the recovery process. Along with fellow Spartan Rhett Holland, who suffered the same injury, Chelios would get up early in the morning everyday and rehab individually because he could not skate with the team.
The rehab paid off as he has been medically cleared for about five months.
“We took it really slow because we knew I was going to medial redshirt anyway,” he said. “I’ve been on the ice before skating with the guys, but I haven’t been doing anything hitting wise until this week. To get hit, nothing’s wrong.”
His progress, combined with his father’s induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame on July 9, combined for an exciting summer for the Chelios family.
“It’s been pretty crazy,” Chelios said. “Nobody really knew that it was even coming, so the day before I read it on NHL.com and he got a call and he was like – all right. And the next day he got inducted and my buddies are texting me saying to congratulate him. It was pretty special.”
Growing up as the son of one of the best defensemen of all-time was challenging for Dean, but something he is used to now.
“It was always something to deal with but I’ve had years of experience with it so I’m adapted to it now,” he said.
Even with Chris’ time divvied up between his NHL duties — whether it be playing (up until 2010) or coaching (he currently is working with defensemen in the Detroit system) — he still manages to watch Dean and his brother Jake at every single MSU game, and is always willing to offer advise.
“He tells me if I don’t want his advice he won’t say anything after a game, but I always take it, I’m always willing to listen,” the 6-2, 185 pound forward said.
He likened it to having an individual coach there for him after every game.
“It really helps, he’ll tell me what to do during the week in terms of strength, lifting, when to rest and stuff like that so it’s helpful for sure.”
Chelios, who scored eight goals in his junior season, is optimistic about the team in their first season in the new Big 10 hockey conference.
“I think we’re going to be a lot better this year,” he said. “We have really good goaltending which is really nice, and we had a ton of freshmen last year and they’re a year older now so that’s going to help.”
As for his own career aspirations, a big senior season for the Spartans will be crucial to his future.
“I was slated to get some good ice time last year before I got hurt so I hope the same thing happens. If I can tear it up next year and help the team win again then maybe I can sign somewhere in the spring or afterwords.”