CHICAGO — Chris Chelios raced up and down the ice and when he had a chance to peek up and check out his surroundings Wednesday, he had trouble believing his eyes.

"To look out and see the rooftops and bleachers while being on an ice surface was the craziest thing in the world, especially at Wrigley Field," said Chelios, the Detroit defenseman and Chicago native.

Chelios estimated that, as a baseball fan, he'd seen more than 200 games at Wrigley over the years. He even lugged the Stanley Cup to the ballpark this past August to show it around.

And now, he'll be part of the second NHL regular-season outdoor game in the United States when his current and former teams meet Thursday in the Winter Classic.

Chelios spent nine seasons with the Blackhawks and is now in his 10th with the Red Wings. At age 46, his ice time has been limited this season — partly because of injury — but he'll be active Thursday.

"Who would have thought this was going to happen? Growing up in Chicago makes it even that more special," he said

Both teams got a feel for the ice Wednesday and were hoping it would be in better shape by Thursday's noon (CST) faceoff.

"The ice, let's give it a day," said Chicago's Brian Campbell, who played last season in the first Winter Classic in Orchard Park, N.Y.