With all of the ridiculous 10, 12, and even 15-year contracts being signed in the NHL these days, players are "committing" to play well into their early to late 40s. But who are they kidding? Are really going to play until the end of these contracts? Unlikely.The deals the likes of Roberto Luongo, Marian Hossa, Chris Pronger and so many others are signing are front loaded, which means all of the money in their deals is paid to them in the first part of the contract. This allows them to retire before their pacts are actually over with their respective teams only being on the hook for about $500,000 to $750,000 per season after that player calls it quits.Chris Chelios on the hand, didn't sign an outlandish deal that took him into his late 40s, but nevertheless he just retired from hockey last week after 26 NHL seasons at the ripe old age of 48. No, it wasn't a lengthy contract or the money that kept him around that long; it was just pure love for the game. Even at the very end of his career when Chelios was relegated to the minors, he didn't let his pride get the best of him; he reported to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL and played his heart out before being recalled to the NHL.So why is that for the past eight years people in the hockey world have done nothing but make fun of the NHL's longest serving defenceman? After all Chelios - who got his start in the SJHL for the Moose Jaw Canucks back in 1979-80- was an amazing defenceman even after he was well north of 40.He was never the biggest, most feared man on the ice but he was always a fierce competitor with one heck of a mean streak that helped him rack up 2,891 penalty minutes, ranking him second all-time among defencemen.He also ranks first all-time in playoff games played with 266 and fourth in regular season games with 1,651-not to mention three Stanley Cups, three Norris trophies as well as three stints as captain of team USA at the Olympics.What kept Chelios competitive for so long was his unparalleled conditioning. He had a very rigorous work-out routine that kept him in the kind of shape it takes to battle night in and night out with men half his age.So instead of poking fun at this ageless wonder, I would like to tip my hat to him and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.Daniel Hendriksen can be reached with questions, comments or complaints at 634-2654 or at [email protected]
