Chris Chelios bolted the White Sox game early Friday night and turned up at Eddie Vedder’s show at the Auditorium Theatre moments before Vedder took the stage approximately a quarter to nine.  Chelios noted his arrival by stepping to the front of his box and hoisting the Stanley Cup boisterously above his head.  I don’t know if that was planned or not, because the house lights dimmed and Vedder took the stage just seconds later.  Also in attendance were actors Sean Penn and John Cusak, along with Cubs’ players Ryan Dempster, Bob Howry, Mark Derosa and Kerry Wood.  Penn even joined Vedder onstage to provide background vocals for Vedder’s final encore song “Hard Sun.”

Chelios looks forward to coming home  Mike Spellman, Daily Herald

Good voice, bad arm  Dave Dye, Detroit News

Chelios makes crosstown tour with Stanley Cup  Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune

--Chelios on Blackhawks’ resurgence:

"What they've done is just tremendous," he said. "It has been a long time coming, where you felt that buzz. I can't say I wish I was part of it right now because I'm a Red Wing, but it's great to see the fans getting excited again about Blackhawk hockey."

Is it possible Chelios, 46, could end his career here?

"I found a new home in Detroit, but Chicago is always going to be home," he said. "My parents still live here, and I intend on coming back and spending the rest of my days here, whether as a player or somehow being involved with the Blackhawks."

That last comment has managed to irk both Hawks and Red Wing fans and loyal keyboard warriors.  Now matter what Chelios does, he manages to piss off seemingly everyone.  Classic heel.

Chris Chelios intends on returning to Blackhawks one day Detroit Free Press

During an interview at the Cubs’ game, Chelios noted he’s already agreed to a new one-year deal with the Red Wings, he just hasn’t had a chance to get back to Detroit and sign it.  Do they not have fax machines in Michigan?  He’ll be in Detroit on Monday, so an announcement should be imminent.

Jeremy Roenick and Stan Mikita golfing together  Bolingbrook Sun

Roenick has landed a role on TNT's upcoming series "Leverage." Sharks.nhl.com

* Punch a Canadian police officer, threaten the life of another and subdued and incarcerated only after being tasered and pepper-sprayed multiple times: NOT GUILTY.  That’s what a southern Ontario court decided after hearing the case of Ryan Vandenbussche and announcing its verdict in early July.

Justice Martha Zivolak determined Vandenbussche’s actions were involuntary and “that it was not the product of an operating mind.”

Vandenbussche says he hopes to pursue a coaching career now that this incident is behind him.  I would say he’s qualified based on the court’s findings.   He’s currently a real estate sales agent.

This should clear any hurdles for John McDonough bringing VandenBussche in soon as part of the “Heritage Collector’s Series.”

ChrisBlock@TheThirdManIn.com

Here’s a preliminary list of this season's home game promotional calendar.

-Highlights:

Mon. Oct 13 – Opening Night – Team Calendar vs. NSH

Wed. Oct 15 – Magnetic Schedule vs. PHO

Wed. Oct 22 – Breast Cancer Awareness Night (this is that odd 8:00 start vs EDM)

Mon. Nov 03 – Patrick Kane Figurine vs. COL

Wed. Nov 12 – #3 Retirement Ceremony (Keith Magnuson/Pierre Pilote) vs. Boston

Sun. Jan 11 – 7^th anniversary of 1934 Stanley Cup Championship team vs. NSH

Fri. Jan 16 – Patrick Sharp bobble head vs. NYR

Sun. Mar 29 – Patrick Kane bobble head vs. Canucks from Vancouver

There’s also five Blackhawks’ Heritage Collector’s Series giveaways: Dec. 3, Jan. 21, Feb. 22, Mar. 11 and April 1^st vs. STL, which is also Glenn Hall Night.

** Steve Poapst was officially inducted into the Cornwall, Ontario Sports Hall of Fame this past Saturday evening.  Problem is; he failed to show up.  Honestly, now that’s a slap in the face.

** Detroit Red Wings re-signed former Hawk Aaron Downey to a one-year, two-way contract worth $575,000 last week.  This leaves Detroit GM Ken Holland with approximately a half million dollars to re-sign Chris Chelios, which Holland has insisted he intends on doing prior to next month’s training camp.  Last season, Chelios played into the age of 46 under an $875,000 contract.  Before you even suggest it, Dale Tallon can’t offer any player a single dime until he moves one of the following; Nikolai Khabibulin, Martin Havlat or Robert Lang.

** Speaking of Chelios, he’ll be singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” today (Friday) at Wrigley Field.  Following that game, Chelios will then head down to "the Cell" where he and Buffalo Grove native Brett Lebda will be showing off the Stanley Cup when the Sox host the Rays.  Chelios also attended Eddie Vedder’s solo concert at the Auditorium Theatre last night.  The two are friends and share mutual acquaintances such as legendary surfer Laird Hamilton.  Many local sports celebrities are attending Vedder’s two shows, Thursday and Friday.  Chelios is in town for the weekend before heading back to Detroit for a charity golf tournament this upcoming Monday.

** More local sightings:  Eddie Olczyk took his youngest son to see WWE’s “Monday Night Raw” taping at All State Arena this past Monday.  Sir Eddie was able to secure second row ringside tickets just feet from Cubs’ pitcher Ryan Dempster and former wrestling champion Harley Race…. Olczyk, who turned 42 last Saturday, then joined Pat Foley and random local TV execs at the Cubs’ game Tuesday night….  And no, Eddie Olczyk (31-64-8-10) is still not being considered for the Thrashers’ coaching job….. Denis Savard and his wife were in attendance at Thursday afternoon’s Cubs’ game.  Savard’s wife looked none to happy in the brief moment they were shown on the broadcast.  I’ve gotten that look before at Cubs’ games, so – oh! do I know the feeling, Savvy.  There’s nothing you can possibly do, just watch the game and drink your beer…… James Wisniewski was at Lollapalooza earlier this month.  Realistically, he won’t be ready to play until mid-to late-December, but he’s hoping for Thanksgiving.  The longer he’s out, the better the chance another defenseman or two will have to bump “Wiz” out of the top seven and onto the Atlanta Thrashers’ organization…..

Blackhawks’ tickets sales surge Chicago Tribune, 8/12

** Tickets to Saturday September 20^th’s “Training Camp Festival” can be purchased here.

-This used to be the Season Ticket Holder party, minus the street hockey and the running.  John McDonough hates fat hockey fans.  No wonder he’s never in the 300 level, like he says he is.  Pay them five bucks and you-too get to run/walk or dry heave the three miles around the United Center neighborhood (I think they should consider starting the run at 7am) just to sit on your fat ass for five hours watching a practice you can see for free another day at the Edge in Bensenville.  No thanks.  I’ll be sitting on my fat ass at a table in Las Vegas~!  They have treadmills and spa treatment centers there.

To be fair, and give credit where it’s due, the team will also be giving you two tickets to a preseason game so I don’t have to be the only one subjected to another September of the Hawks fouling up another brand new offensive scheme.  If I see Brian Campbell dumping the puck off the rush with any semblance of repetitiveness a month from now, I’m putting my tickets on StubHub.

** The very next day, Sun Sept 21, out in Rockford the Blackhawks will be re-introducing the “Red vs. White game” at the MetroCentre.  Tickets for that exhibition event are $20 and $15.  No mention of any of those proceeds going to charity.  The four-hour, $20 practice even has a corporate sponsor.  I guess that MetroCentre renovation really isn’t going to pay for itself.

Tommy Hawk Quit~!  But, fear not kids! Mr. McDonough is on the case (update:  It appears they’ve found their new “Tommy.”  The job listing has been taken down.)

Blackhawks are still looking for a 50/50 raffle ticket seller.

The Chicago Wolves made Jason Shaver their new play-by-play announcer, replacing Pat Foley.  Shaver was previously the Houston Aeros’ announcer.  Wolves' web site story

Rockford's team president resigned and will be taking a position outside of hockey.

Meanwhile, the IceHogs introduced their new head coach Bill Peters this week.  I always used to wish my name was Bill Peters, or Evan Keel, or Richard Wang, or Jesus Pantzaroff.

VERSUS 2008-09 Broadcast Schedule (they’re saying every game will be broadcast in high-definition.  That’s a year past due.)

Oct. 27 – Blackhawks at Minnesota

Jan. 19 – Minnesota at Blackhawks

Mar. 31 – Blackhawks at Montreal

--I’m shocked VERSUS is doing FIVE St. Louis Blues games and just three involving the Hawks.  Seems like a huge mistake to me.

Hockey Night in Canada unveils season schedule CBC.ca

HDNet and the majority of NBC’s schedule have yet to be determined.  If you don’t have access to HDNet, I implore you to drop anything you may be doing at this moment and rectify the situation immediately.  No network does hockey better than HDNet.  You get two games per week (Thurs and Sat), but sadly we won’t get to see Judd Sirott gazing lustfully into the eyes of broadcast partner Larry Murphy before games or between periods any longer.

An update for fans of former Blackhawk Igor Korolev  Jon Yaneff, King Sentinel

Gunzos looks to the web for a sales boost. PRweb (For some people I know, this could mean trouble)

NHL’09 (EA Sports) goes on sale September 9^th.  One-handed dekes, protect-a-puck, Gary Thorne, Bill Clement and DUMP-N-CHASE-O-FENCE~! (don’t let Savvy play this game) highlight this year’s improvements along with the new “Be a Pro” mode where you create a player and begin your career in the AHL.

I’ll have more this weekend.

ChrisBlock@TheThirdManIn.com

Current Calgary Flames general manager and former Chicago Blackhawks’ coach and player Darryl Sutter is celebrating his 50^th birthday today, Tuesday August 19^th.

Sutter was elected the Blackhawks’ 24^th team captain in franchise history for the 1982-83 season, succeeding Terry Ruskowski.  Darryl became the second Sutter brother to be named captain of an NHL team.  His brother Brian, also a former Hawks’ head coach, captained St. Louis from 1979-1988.

For those who may be too young to remember, Darryl Sutter wore Indianhead sweater number 27 from 1979-1987, every season he played in the NHL.  He was forced to retire at the early age of twenty-nine due to a multitude of injuries accumulated during his seven full seasons in the NHL.  He would immediately begin his coaching career in the 1987-88 season, assisting under new bench boss, Bob Murdoch.  That would last just a year though, as Murdoch was fired following the 87-88 season to make room for Mike Keenan.  Darryl would move on to Chicago’s IHL affiliate Saginaw for one season as he begun his head coaching career.

The next season, Darryl would go on to lead Chicago’s new IHL minor league affiliate, Indianapolis Ice, to the Turner Cup Championship in 1990.  You may recall that team was backstopped by Jimmy Waite and Darren Pang, with forwards Brian Noonan, Mike Stapleton, Mike Eagles, Sean Williams, Bob Bassen, Mike McNeill, Warren Rychel, and Ryan McGill, Bruce Cassidy, Cam Russell, and Mike Peluso (the goony-one) on the blue line.  Ironically, Jim Playflair, whom Sutter years later would hire to coach his Flames’ team, only to fire and demote to assistant under Mike Keenan, also played on that 1990 Championship team.

After the success of 1989-90 in Indianapolis, Darryl was summoned back to Chicago where he served for two years again as assistant, this time to Mike Keenan, before himself being hired to lead the Blackhawks from 1992-95.  At the time of his promotion, Sutter, at 33, was the youngest coach in the National Hockey League.

Under Sutter, the Blackhawks went 110-80-26 for a .569 winning percentage.  But, after the lockout-shortened 94-95 season that saw the Hawks reach the Conference Finals only to lose in five games to Detroit, Sutter quit his coaching position and was reassigned to “special assignments” saying he wanted to spend more time with his wife and children, especially his youngest son Christopher, who was two at the time and born with Down’s syndrome. 

Darryl Sutter’s NHL Statistics – All with Chicago