5 Chicago Blackhawks from the 1990s that deserve to have their numbers retired

The Chicago Blackhawks are retiring Chris Chelios' No. 7 on Sunday.

It is a well-deserved honor for one of Chicago's most iconic hockey players. The legendary defenseman played nine seasons for his hometown team. He won two of his three Norris Trophies with the Blackhawks and made nine All-Star appearances for the franchise.

He was the Hawks captain from 1995-1999. He ranks fourth time in assists and points among Blackhawks defensemen and fifth in goals among the franchise's blueliners. Chelios was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013 after a 26-year career.

He played his first seven seasons for the Montreal Canadiens and came to Chicago in 1990 when the Hawks sent another franchise icon, Denis Savard to the Habs in exchange for Chelios. Chelios came close to winning a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1992 but that team ran into a buzzsaw Pittsburgh Penguins team led by Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr.

Chelios was traded midway through the 1998-99 season to the rival Detroit Red Wings. He would play ten more seasons with "Detroit Sucks!" and win three Stanley Cups. He finished his career in 2009-10 with the Atlanta Thrashers when he played seven games at age 48.

Chelios will go down as one of the greatest American defensemen of all time. He will always be a Chicago icon even if he played more seasons for the Red Wings. That is why it is fitting his No. 7 will be raised to the United Center rafters with Detroit in town.

It is also fitting that Chris has his number retired as it is the first honor like this bestowed on a player who was part of some very good Blackhawks teams during the 1990s.

The Hawks made the playoffs every year in that decade except the final two. A lot of those teams get overshadowed by how the franchise slowly declined into mediocrity thanks to owner Bill Wirtz' frugality. That still does not mean the Blackhawks did not have a good run of success and it has never really been acknowledged by the franchise until now.

Chelios is not the only player from that decade that should see his number retired. There are five more former greats from that decade that deserve consideration. Although the Blackhawks have updated their criteria that include...

• Player must be retired for at least three years, which doesn't include long-term injured reserve.
• Minimum of eight years and 500 games played with the Blackhawks for skaters; 400 games played with the team for goaltenders.
• Hockey Hall of Famer or has played at least 1,000 games (700 for a goaltender).
• Played more games with the Blackhawks than any other team during NHL career.
• Among the most prolific Blackhawks at his position, as evidenced by on-ice performance, All-Star selections, and major NHL Awards.
• Exhibited (and continues to exhibit) strong off-ice character.
• Changed the game of hockey.
• Additional consideration will be given to members of the Stanley Cup winning teams with the Blackhawks, along with the entire body of work by a player to the organization, which includes time as a broadcaster and ambassador.

So let's see if those five players actually will get the chance to see a banner with their name and jersey number on it in the United Center rafters someday.

Roenick played eight seasons for the Blackhawks from 1988-1996. He skated in 524 games for the Hawks. Roenick retired after the 2008-09 season with the San Jose Sharks. Roenick was traded to the Coyotes (he also played for the Flyers and the Kings) after the 1996 season in one of the first of many moves Bill Wirtz made to avoid paying big money to top players.

He meets at least three requirements for number retirement.

Roenick has not made the Hockey Hall of Fame despite being eligible for induction since 2012. You would think the center would be in with 513 career goals and 703 career assists (both put in the top 50 all-time). He is one of the best American-born players to skate in the NHL during the 90s. Roenick likes to tell it like he sees it and that has rubbed some people the wrong way. He is in the United States Hockey of Hall Fame.

He was never a team ambassador or broadcaster, but he had a nice run with NBC Sports as a studio analyst. Well, until he was fired for making inappropriate comments about a female reporter on a podcast. Roenick was one of the alleged ring leaders of Team USA hockey players trashing their rooms in the 1998 Winter Olympics.

Not being in the Hockey Hall of Fame and some questionable off-ice incidents might get him excluded from having a number retirement ceremony.

Roenick did not exactly change the game of hockey, but he played it better than most especially with the Hawks.

He had three 100-point seasons and made four All-Star teams with the Blackhawks. He ranks 40th all-time in games played in franchise history. His 267 goals scored for the Hawks ranks him ninth among other franchise greats. His 329 assists for the Hawks put him 15th all-time in the organization and he is 11th in points.

He was a superstar during a time when the NHL was at its peak in popularity. So while he never won the Hart Trophy, he was one of the game's best when he skated for the Hawks.

Belfour played eight seasons for the Blackhawks from 1988 to 1997. He played in 415 career games for the Hawks and 963 career NHL games in a career that included stops in San Jose, Dallas, Toronto, and Florida. He retired with the Panthers after the 2006-07 season at 41. He is also in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

He checks off the first four boxes on the Hawks number retirement criteria.

He won two Vezina Trophies, three Jennings Trophies, and the Calder Trophy during his time with the Hawks. He has the most wins by a Hawks netminder in a season. Belfour checks off being prolific at his position.

Belfour left the organization when the Hawks did not want to pay him more than $4 million that he wanted as a pending free agent. He was traded to San Jose. He then went to Dallas where he won the Stanley Cup.

You would think such an accomplished netminder would have his No. 30 already on a banner in the United Center. His off-ice character might be the reason. He clashed with head coach Mike Keenan and teammates often.

He was arrested in 2020 for public intoxication. He was also arrested in 2007 in Florida for a scuffle with a police officer. He got arrested in 2000 for misdemeanor assault on a hotel security guard and resisting arrest. Belfour offered up to $1 billion to the arresting officers to not take him to jail.

Amonte played nine seasons and 627 games for the Blackhawks from 1994-2002. That puts him ninth all-time in franchise history in games played. He played 1174 games total in the NHL as he also played for the Rangers, Coyotes, Flyers, and Calgary Flames.

He scored 416 goals and dished out 484 assists during his 17-year career. 268 of those 416 goals came while he was with the Blackhawks. That amount ranks him eighth all-time in the organization. His 541 career points with the Blackhawks are 12th all-time, right behind Roenick.

Amonte meets the games and years requirements. The problem he faces is Amonte is not in the Hockey Hall of Fame (he is the US Hockey Hall of Fame like Roenick). He did make five All-Star teams, but he never won any individual awards or scoring titles.

Amonte was the last star player the team had before the franchise's dark days during the middle portion of the 2000s, but he did not exactly change the game. Amonte was very good, but it is debatable just how prolific he was among forwards in his generation. He never had over 100 points in a season despite his stellar scoring ability. Amonte is a good character guy but the lack of Hart Trophies makes it hard to see his No. 10 never being worn by a Blackhawks player ever again.

So most of Wilson's accomplishments came in the 1980s. The defenseman did have 40 points in his final season with the Blackhawks during the 1990-91 season. He also made the 1990 All-Star team.

Also, I needed five players to discuss, and Wilson's '80s accolades were better than making a case for Eric Daze.

Wilson played 14 of his 16 seasons with the Blackhawks. He won the Norris Trophy in 1982. That was the season he scored 39 goals and registered 46 assists. The 39 goals are a single-season franchise record for a defenseman.

His 938 games played for the Blackhawks is ninth all-time. He is fourth all-time in team history in assists.

Wilson was one of the best defensemen of his generation. He is also in the Hockey Hall of Fame--he was inducted the same year as Marian Hossa.

Wilson has a banner hanging in San Jose and he only played two seasons for the Sharks. Although he was their long-time general manager.

Wilson was prolific and is a Hall of Famer. He needs his number retired.