The longtime NHL defenceman, who plays for the Detroit Red Wings, said the deaths on Tuesday of Megan Soroka and Mark Barnard were "senseless .... and there's no explanation."

A 17-year-old who recently was fired as a bus boy from Cheli's Chili Bar is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the killings.

Justin Blackshere of Detroit faces mandatory life in prison without parole if convicted as charged. He was arraigned Wednesday evening in 36th District Court, and Magistrate Milicent Sherman ordered him held without bond until a preliminary examination Jan. 16.

"I'm just going to try to get through this day by day with everybody," said Chelios, who did not play in Detroit's 2-1 win against Anaheim on Tuesday night and was not travelling with the team for its game Thursday night at San Jose.

Chelios said he would rejoin the team when the time is right.

The restaurant was opening Thursday for the first time since the stabbings.