The Atlanta Thrashers have moved the start time of all remaining games to 2 PM to better suit ancient defenseman Chris Chelios.

The Atlanta Thrashers announced Tuesday that all remaining games on the schedule would be played at an Early Bird special start time of 2 PM Eastern.  The change comes a week after the club called up greybread defenseman Chris Chelios from the Chicago Wolves.

Atlanta general manager Don Waddell said the move was discussed with Chelios during negotiations earlier this season.  “Chris would only sign if he could be home in time to watch Wheel of Fortune, drink a glass of warm milk, and be in bed by 8:30,” Waddell explained.  “But we needed to bring the old fogey up here so badly, we’re willing to make that sacrifice.  He was scaring the kids with our AHL  team with his World War I stories anyway.”

Chelios tried playing a handful of games at the regular Thrashers start time of 7 PM eastern, but found himself nodding off on the bench between shifts.

When reached for comment about the change, Chelios was excited about the opportunity to continue playing with the Thrashers.  “I keep seeing these young whippersnappers like Rob Blake and Mark Recchi prance around out there, and it’s time someone put them in their place,” Chelios said.