As for Chris Chelios and the union of the players in the NHL that is being covered at this time on television and radio.  This is about Chelios teaching two young guys in the game who are good, teaching them how to be better, how to be great.

  Jiri Fischer- When Jiri Fischer was called up to the Red Wings and found a permanent spot in the team he struggled at first and found himself needing some help and encouragment.  So he wound up paired with Chris Chelios the ultimate defenseman and leader showed Fischer how to unbury the the talent that was inside and play with agression, goal protection and yet have the desired the scoring touch for clutch goals, for every game.  Chris Chelios has a way of getting people and situations better than what they are.  It might be uncomfortable for people.  For this Chelios has a place in the game today as he knows that hockey as a game and business is uncomfortable; the ice and the front office is not place to become complacent.  For winners that style of management,  teaching and play keeps them, the winner from being knocked down every time an issue needs  tough decisions.  Jiri Fischer before the heart ailment was known as a strong defenseman with a great knack for clutch goals, and was tough to bring down on the ice and in interviews.  Sound alot like the mentor, Chris Chelios.

  Brett Lebda- Growing up in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois the young prospect from the University of Notre Dame of the CCHA ( I saw him in games against the Spartans) watched the Chicago Blackhawks and never dreamed that the opportunity of a lifetime would be reality, playing on the same defense pairing as Chris Chelios and learning the game from the Hall of Fame player.  Again as with Fischer Chris Chelios pushed Lebda and Lebda was a player better than what he was.  Mediocrity is not the middle name of Chris Chelios.  Improvement and winning is Chris Chelios.  Brett Lebda produced at the blue line with some game winning goals and was tough to bring down.  And he would win alot of battles on the boards for the puck in defensive end.  Manny Legace never had to shake his head or roll his eyes in frustration because of Brett Lebda.  Chris Chelios is a player whose personality has always been in the locker room and on the ice holding people to account if there is even the slightest cheap shot or sly cover up.  He always has had that honest part of his game that so many people in the start of his career had.  Brett Lebda is not a finesse player who frustrates the goaltender but a leader and strong player on the ice who protects the goaltender.  That is not a pale reflection of the teacher, Chris Chelios, those are the attributes of, Chris Chelios. 

-LGRW