With Wayne Gretzky and celebs in attendance, Chelios salutes family, friends, former teammates and others before game against Red Wings and Patrick Kane.

The Chicago Blackhawks raised Hall-of-Fame defenseman Chris Chelios' No. 7 to the United Center rafters before Sunday's game with Patrick Kane and the Detroit Red Wings.

All-time NHL scorer Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier were among the hockey royalty in the stands. 

Detroit won the game 3-2 when former Blackhawk star Kane scored in overtime in his first game back in Chicago. See story in link.

Just like his 26-year NHL career, Chelios went longer than expected with his comments in the pregame ceremony. It was the first thing the the three-time Norris Trophy and Stanley Cup winning D-Man admitted to reporters afterward.

But the 62-year-old Chelios' NHL career, let alone all the honors, weren't supposed to happen. The native of Chicago's South Suburbs didn't exactly grow up in a minor hockey hotbed.

"I'm not going to say it's a dream come true because it was never a dream," Chelios said. "I wanted to make the NHL once I knew I had a chance, but obviously it's crazy.

"But again from my family, everyone in Chicago — kids I played with coaches I had — I'm a piece of them. I know in some way that they're proud of me and I'm grateful for that."  See following video.

Bigger Honor Than Hall-of-Fame

Chelios said having his jersey retired by the Blackhawks was even a bigger honor than being inducted into the Hall-of-Fame in 2013.

Chelios spoke from an elaborate puck-shaped dais at center ice after being driven onto the rink in a vintage Cadillac with his 90-year-old mother, Sue. He was joined by his wife, Tracee, and four children. 

Blackhawks management and former Chicago teammates including fellow Americans Jeremy Roenick, Tony Amonte, Gary Suter, Brian Noonan and Keith Carney were seated on the  platform. So were Hall-of-Fame Canadians Eddie Belfour, Denis Savard and others.

Calls Out Patrick Kane As  "Greatest American Player."

Chelios gave a special callout to Kane, who watched with his teammates from the Detroit bench. Kane made his first appearance at the United Center with a team other than the Blackhawks after skating his first 16 seasons with Chicago.

"This guy will go down as the great American-born player," Chelios said while nodding to the Detroit bench."Kaner, Patrick Kane, unbelievable."

The 35-year-old Kane is second only to Stan Mikita with 1,225 points on the Blackhawks all-time scoring list. Kane got huge ovation from the crowd, with two curtain calls, when he was recognized with a video salute midway through the first period. 

Unlikely Path To NHL

Chelios recalled his unlikely path to the NHL, starting with skating at ratty rinks in Chicago's South Suburbs. It was all nearly derailed when his father, Gus, moved to San Diego to open a restaurant in move Chelios said "backfired."

But Chelios, then a teen, had a chance meeting on a beach with Bobby Parker, a defenseman from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Parker was playing for a team at United States International University in San Diego where Chelios had enrolled.

Parker gave Chelios the phone number of a coach, Larry Billows, of a junior team, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Moose Jaw Canucks. Chelios called, then Billows have him a tryout and brought him in as defenseman even though he had been a forward.

Parker, who's own career was cut short by vision problems, also joined Chelios on the dias at center ice.

It's Party Time

Basketball legend Michael Jordan wasn't able to attend the ceremony, but plenty of other celebs were on hand for the event, game, and an after-party in the United Center atrium with a 400-plus guest list.

Pearl Jam leadman Eddie Vedder and Hollywood members of Chelios "Malibu-Mob" were set to attend. 

"I would say the most famous one is Cindy Crawford," Chelios said. "I forgot to give her a shout."

Chelios owns an oceanfront estate in the Pacific Coast California celebrity enclave. It's on the market for $67.5 million.

"I think I'm a better party-planner than I am a hockey player," Chelios joked. "And I proved that last night to a lot of people."