DETROIT, Nov. 20 -- The Detroit Red Wings will be without star defenseman Chris Chelios for a lot longer than they originally expected after confirming that he underwent major reconstructive knee surgery Monday to repair a torn right ACL. He will be sidelined for at least three months.
The surgery was performed in Birmingham, Al., by Dr. William Clancy.
Chelios underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Oct. 20 and was expected to be sidelined 2-3 weeks. He was injured in a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Blues three days earlier.
The 38-year-old Chelios, acquired from Chicago on March 23, 1999, is in his 18th NHL season. The two-time Norris Trophy winner as the league's top defenseman has 168 goals, 665 assists and 2,406 penalty minutes in 1,163 games.
Detroit, which is trying to return to its championship form of 1997 and '98, also has been without captain Steve Yzerman, who underwent knee surgery Oct. 16. He is slated to return in early December.
Despite the injuries, the Red Wings are in second place in the Central Division with an 11-7-1-1 record and 24 points.
