When the Chicago Wolves announced Monday that defenseman Jake Chelios signed a standard player’s contract (SPC) to play for the franchise in 2014, Chelios was between classes at Michigan State University.
Chelios, who wrapped up his collegiate playing career in March and joined the Wolves on April 4 for the final six weeks of the season, needs a fistful of credit hours to complete his Communications degree. He expects to be done in mid-August, but learning is just one of the things the 23-year-old has on his summer agenda.
Why did you choose Communications?
To become the next Jeremy Roenick on NBC.
Really? You had that in mind all along?
Well, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do during my freshman year, but the Communications school at Michigan State has a really good reputation. I like the classes because you can apply them to many different things. There’s a broad range of ways you can use your degree.
What else are you doing besides attending classes?
I’ll be going out to California (where the Chelios family lives) at the end of the first summer session and I might train out there. I’ll train with the same guy my dad trained with, T.R. Goodman. Off and on, I’ve been training with him since early in high school. A lot of hockey players train with him there in Venice Beach. It’s a great group.
What’s a typical day of training like?
In July, we’ll work out two-and-a-half to three hours every morning starting at 7 a.m. (editor’s note: learn more about Goodman’s methods and clients here). Then you basically stay at the beach the rest of the day. Cross training is good. I like to surf and I’ll play beach volleyball. You’re out there all day staying busy.
How did negotiations play out that you returned to the Wolves?
I talked with (general manager) Wendell (Young) on the phone at the end of the year and it looked like the team wanted to sign me. If you’re going to play in the AHL, you can ask anybody: Chicago is one of the best places, if not the best place, to be. I couldn’t be more excited.
You played a handful of games for the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye before joining the Wolves for the final six weeks and posting one assist in four games. What was it like getting your feet wet with the Wolves?
It was awesome. I played six games in eight days for Toledo before joining the Wolves. When I got in there, my partner was (long-time NHL defenseman) Joe Corvo. That couldn’t have worked out any better for me. He’s a calm guy with a ton of experience who could help out a young guy like me. And having goaltender Jake Allen behind you wasn’t too bad either.
