Music: {allcanada} Chelios: 'Part wolverine, part fox, tough and smart'

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

{allcanada} Chelios: 'Part wolverine, part fox, tough and smart'

Doug Weight (notes) listed Chris Chelios (notes) in his top three. Of all the Americans to ever lace up hockey skates, Weight thinks it doesn't get any better than Chris Chelios, Brian Leetch and Mike Modano (notes).

"Leetchy, Modano and Chelly are probably the amazing three," Weight said. "What can you say about Chelly?"

You also could say he was the best American to ever play the game and Brian Burke wouldn't argue.

"He's as good a player as we've ever manufactured," Burke wrote in an e-mail to Sporting News. "We've had more skilled players, but none with the package of skill and snarl. (He's) part of a special generation for USA Hockey, but a place a bit above for me."

It's quite a legacy. On top of the three Stanley Cups, the three Norris Trophies, the record for most NHL games by a defenseman, Chelios leaves the ice as someone who helped change the landscape of hockey in America.

If the 1980 Olympic hockey team broke down barriers for kids to play hockey in the States, the generation led by Chelios established that the U.S. could not only play, but consistently win at the highest level.

Now, when Team USA is playing for a gold medal in the Olympics, or winning a gold in the world junior championships, it's no surprise. Winning is no longer an upset.

That attitude shift has everything to do with the standard for competing Chelios established.

"More guys received an opportunity because of the success the (1980 Olympic team) had. The next generation is the one that gave us the identity," said USA Hockey assistant executive director Jim Johannson.

Chelios played in four Olympics and was the Team USA captain in three of them, including the 2002 silver medal winning team. He also helped Team USA win the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.

During the NHL season, he relished in riling up opposing fans. During international play, he took on entire countries.

"He'll do anything to win," Weight told Sporting News. "He's a borderline baby when we're losing. He loses his mind. When you see that competitiveness, a guy who played until he was 47—he just rewrote the book about being a hockey player, competing and wearing the American sweater."

The Red Wings were smart to keep Chelios in the organization. G.M. Ken Holland said he's often asked how the Red Wings continue to win despite aging players, salary cap challenges and the yearly challenges that can get in the way of contending for the Stanley Cup. His answer is the same. It's the culture. Because of players like Chelios, Steve Yzerman and Nicklas Lidstrom (notes), the culture in Detroit is one of winning as a team.

Chelios brought that winning culture to Team USA. And like the Red Wings, USA Hockey has every intention of keeping Chelios around.

"For sure. I think (his role) will evolve in time as to what is the best fit for him and what path he takes," Johannson said. "There's something to be said for when you show up at an event and a guy like Chelios is around. … I want our competitors to see Chris Chelios there in whatever that role is. I think time will identify that."

Whether he can continue to make the same impact remains to be seen. But regardless, his impact as an American player is immeasurable.

"He was born with work boots on," Burke said. "(He's) part wolverine, part fox, tough and smart. He'll be missed."