The Chicago Tribune’s Steve Rosenbloom engaged in a wide-ranging conversation with Red Wings ambassador Chris Chelios, who’s about to participate in the 2018 Olympics as an assistant coach for Team USA.
Rosenbloom’s conversation with Chelios reveals that the Red Wings and Blackhawks legend isn’t interested in full-time NHL coaching duty:
“I couldn’t imagine doing this in the NHL because it’s 82 games,’’ Chelios said. “That’s a grind. I don’t know if I’d want to do that. I’ve been offered NHL assistant jobs, but I just couldn’t commit to the 82 games and that kind of schedule right now. I like my free time. I like seeing my kids play – my daughter (Tara) plays lacrosse (for Northwestern), Jake plays for Charlotte in the AHL. I wish he’d get more of a chance. I have thought about coaching him. It’d be buses (in the minors), but I think he should get a chance.’’
As a player, Chelios was emotional. A facewash here, a two-hander across the ankles there — yes, Chelios the player would respond to seemingly every slight that Chelios the coach learned he cannot brook.
“You can’t get caught up in the game,’’ Chelios said of the biggest difference between lacing up Bauers and Cole Haans. “That’s what I did as a player. That’s the way I played. As a coach, you learn to keep calm and realize the decisions you have to make. You can’t get caught up in the emotional part of it.
“I’ve also learned you can’t treat everybody the same. I saw coaches do that. I don’t think you can. Every player’s different. It’s like your kids. You don’t treat your kids the same way.’’
Rosenbloom continues, and this is an excellent conversation…
