Chelios to return to Detroit in 2007-2008

DETROIT (CP) - The NHL's oldest player has at least one more season left in him.

Defenseman Chris Chelios and the Detroit Red Wings agreed on a one-year contract Tuesday. It will be the 24th NHL season for the 45-year-old Chelios, who had 11 assists and a plus-11 rating in 71 games for the Red Wings last season.

Chelios led Detroit defensemen with a plus-7 rating during the team's run to the Western Conference final.

"Chris is coming off another outstanding season and was one of the best defencemen on any team through three rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs," Wings GM Ken Holland said. "He has taken conditioning to a new level and has set the standard for how today's professional athlete trains year-round in order to compete at an elite level. In addition to his high level of play, Chris's experience and leadership are second to none."

Chelios won Stanley Cups with Montreal in 1986 and Detroit in 2002 and is a three-time winner of the Norris Trophy.

In 1,547 career regular-season games for the Canadiens, Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, Chelios has 182 goals and 936 points. Chelios has 31 goals and 113 assists for 144 points in 246 career playoff games.