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Chris Chelios: Made in America
From being inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013, to serving in an executive role on the Detroit Red Wings, and signing on to become an NHL analyst for Fox Sports 1, Chris Chelios has proven himself to be a man of many talents and here he tells his story. Drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1981, Chelios enjoyed a long career in the NHL, playing for 26 seasons for the Canadiens as well as the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings, two diehard hockey markets in which he has become a beloved figure. From the 1992 Stanley Cup final to the 2006 Winter Olympics team, Chelios shares his achievements on the ice while providing new information on his life off it to readers, making this autobiography a must-have not only for Chelios fans, but anyone who loves the game of hockey.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
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279 people want to read
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May 25, 2021Any fan of either the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Redwings, or even NHL Hockey in general should know the name of Chris Chelios. This is his story as he tells it.
Its a look at how Chris who grew up in Chicago moved with his family to California and how Hockey was not his first love/sport. Its a story of his rise into the NHL and his time with the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings....and also the story behind why he switched teams.
He also name drops a lot in his book...whether its Darryl Sutter or Kid Rock (or even John Cusick), he seems to have built a network of friends that spans across many different spectrums.
In general, this is a great book on one of the greats in hockey!!
Its a look at how Chris who grew up in Chicago moved with his family to California and how Hockey was not his first love/sport. Its a story of his rise into the NHL and his time with the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings....and also the story behind why he switched teams.
He also name drops a lot in his book...whether its Darryl Sutter or Kid Rock (or even John Cusick), he seems to have built a network of friends that spans across many different spectrums.
In general, this is a great book on one of the greats in hockey!!
September 27, 2019
Interview with a character: Chris Chelios
Chris Chelios had one of the most storied careers in NHL history. He is generally regarded as one of the best American born players in NHL history. He played in over 1,650 regular season games in the NHL and 266 playoff games, 6th and 1st all time in those categories. He made his NHL debut for the Montreal Canadiens in 1984 at age 22, and played his final NHL game in 2010 for the Atlanta Thrashers at age 48. He won three Stanley Cups, two Norris Trophies for best defenseman, one Mark Messier award for leadership, and he won a gold medal in the World Cup of Hockey for USA in 1996. He is always considered in the best US born players of all time conversation, and most experts also have him in their top 10 defensemen of all time lists. He was inducted into the US hockey hall of fame in 2013, and is now works for the Detroit Red Wings development staff. I will be asking him some questions about his career.
Questions:
When did you realize that you could really make the NHL?
Probably during my first season playing for the Moose Jaw Canucks, when I was 17. No scouts ventured into California to look for draft prospects at the time, so it looked like I had no chance at pro or even college hockey. That all changed when my friend Bobby Parker and I started playing for the Moose Jaw Canucks up in Canada. I was fantastic in the two years I played there, and was regarded as one of the best defensemen in the WHL. Scouts noticed me, and I eventually landed a scholarship to play college hockey at Wisconsin. Later on, the Montreal Canadiens drafted me 40th overall in 1982, and I made my NHL debut just two years later.
How did you stay in shape for so long that you were playing pro hockey at 48?
I had many workout routines that my teammates found insane that probably helped me sustain my play over the years and delay my retirement. I biked 20+ miles to sign my contracts while tired and sweaty, I practiced shooting and skating at 2 AM, and many more extreme training routines. Most important and famous of all, I loved to ride stationary bikes while in the sauna. I believe in the power of sweating, and exerting all that energy definitely improved my stamina. When I was traded to the Detroit Red Wings, I noticed that the arena didn’t have a sauna, so I paid some construction workers to come over and build one. Sure, my skating and offensive ability declined as I progressed into my mid forties, but my physical play and determination stayed the same, and they were arguably the best parts of my game. Also, my overall passion for hockey helped me stay dedicated and determined, as mentioned before.
Did you think the Chicago Blackhawks fans treated you unfairly when you were traded to Detroit?
Yes and no. Its true that I once said that I would never play for Detroit, and I betrayed those words when I allowed the trade to go through. Blackhawks fans have the right to be mad at me for playing for my hometown’s biggest rival, and win multiple Stanley Cups there, when I could never win one in Chicago. I have been booed and heckled many times by Hawks fans, and while that upset me, I was never really mad at the fans themselves. Near the end of my Blackhawks career, I felt constantly mistreated by the coach and management. They tried to start a youth movement for the franchise, and I was under the impression that I, as captain, would lead the charge and mentor the younger players. However, the management didn’t share that vision for the future. They informed me in the late 1990s that my contract at the time would be my last one in Chicago, and this made me feel unappreciated and that the Hawks organization thought I was washed up, with no gas left in the tank. So, when I was informed that the Hawks were trying to trade me, I didn’t veto it.
Do you think fans have the right to call you a dirty player?
Yes, I think they do in today’s game. When it was playoff time, I intentionally slashed, hit, and injured other players, all for the purpose of winning. My most famous incident was an elbow to the head of Brian Propp in the 1989 playoffs. Most people also don’t know that the hit was in retaliation to Propp breaking two of my fingers with a slash earlier in the season. I hit Propp intending to cause him some pain, but I never meant to give him a seriously dangerous injury like the one he sustained from the hit. Also, during most of my playing career, hits were tolerated by the NHL that would be considered extremely dirty today. So yes, I made many questionable hits and slashes over my career, but the time period was different, and I definitely was not one of the dirtiest players of the time.
What was your favorite moment in your NHL/International hockey career?
Probably winning the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. I played on some great Olympic teams before this, but we never triumphed over Canada. When the horn sounded and my teammates poured over the boards, I had never felt so proud in my life. I am a massive patriot and love representing my country. Also, you could hear the anger and disappointment in every Canadian’s voice in the days after we won. Hockey was their game, and we were better at it than them. The Canadians were not going to forget this, and they came back for revenge in the next Olympics. However, it was still worth it, and definitely the best moment in my hockey career.
What would you say is the worst experience or moment in your NHL/International hockey career?
The worst experience in my hockey career was most likely losing the 1992 Stanley Cup Finals to Mario Lemieux and the Pittsburgh Penguins. I was still on the Blackhawks at the time, and I knew this was my chance to win the Stanley Cup for my hometown. However, we couldn’t get it done. We were all disappointed by it, and I felt that I let Chicago down. We still had a good team in the years after, but looking back on it, the team we had that year was our best chance of winning it all by far.
Who would you say is the greatest American born hockey player of all time?
I won’t include myself in this discussion, but there are lots of great choices. New York Rangers legend Brian Leetch is probably in my top three, and he definitely the best defenseman on my list. Mike Modano is another great option, as he is the highest scoring American player of all time. Those two are legendary players, but Brett Hull is clearly the best player to wear the USA sweater. However, he was born in Canada, even though his mother was American and he later chose to play for the USA in international hockey instead of Canada. Patrick Kane is also amazing, and he is in my top 5 and his career is far from over.
Who were your favorite and least favorite coaches to play for?
I absolutely loved playing for Scotty Bowman in Detroit, and that is fitting because most people believe him to be the best coach of all time. He was energetic, focused, and had an amazing hockey IQ. He has also won 9 Stanley Cups, something all other coaches can’t even imagine. My least favorite coach was probably Mike Keenan, who coached me in Chicago. Keenan was effective at times, but his constant belittlement of the players kept the locker room on edge so much that the chemistry between players was nonexistent.
Who was your biggest enemy in hockey on the ice?
I would say Dale Hunter was my biggest on ice enemy. Many think that it was Brian Propp because of the arguably dirty hit I threw on him during my time in Montreal, but this was not the case, as I never really wanted to hurt him badly. However, Hunter and I would constantly go after each other. One time, Hunter hit me so hard he knocked me unconscious. I woke up in the dressing room after I was carried off the ice. During a brawl in a different game, Hunter chased me around the ice for about two minutes, and he never caught me. I have always been proud of that, mostly because of how I made Hunter look silly.
What was the best NHL/International hockey team you played for?
Even though I played for the US Olympic team multiple times, I would still say the 2001-02 Detroit Red Wings were the best team I ever played on. The roster was bloated with superstars. Steve Yzerman, Nick Lidstrom, Dominik Hasek, Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille, Brendan Shanahan, Pavel Datsyuk, Sergei Fedorov and myself were all on that team, and all of us were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. We won the President’s Trophy for the best team in the regular season, and eventually we won the Stanley Cup.
Chris Chelios had one of the most storied careers in NHL history. He is generally regarded as one of the best American born players in NHL history. He played in over 1,650 regular season games in the NHL and 266 playoff games, 6th and 1st all time in those categories. He made his NHL debut for the Montreal Canadiens in 1984 at age 22, and played his final NHL game in 2010 for the Atlanta Thrashers at age 48. He won three Stanley Cups, two Norris Trophies for best defenseman, one Mark Messier award for leadership, and he won a gold medal in the World Cup of Hockey for USA in 1996. He is always considered in the best US born players of all time conversation, and most experts also have him in their top 10 defensemen of all time lists. He was inducted into the US hockey hall of fame in 2013, and is now works for the Detroit Red Wings development staff. I will be asking him some questions about his career.
Questions:
When did you realize that you could really make the NHL?
Probably during my first season playing for the Moose Jaw Canucks, when I was 17. No scouts ventured into California to look for draft prospects at the time, so it looked like I had no chance at pro or even college hockey. That all changed when my friend Bobby Parker and I started playing for the Moose Jaw Canucks up in Canada. I was fantastic in the two years I played there, and was regarded as one of the best defensemen in the WHL. Scouts noticed me, and I eventually landed a scholarship to play college hockey at Wisconsin. Later on, the Montreal Canadiens drafted me 40th overall in 1982, and I made my NHL debut just two years later.
How did you stay in shape for so long that you were playing pro hockey at 48?
I had many workout routines that my teammates found insane that probably helped me sustain my play over the years and delay my retirement. I biked 20+ miles to sign my contracts while tired and sweaty, I practiced shooting and skating at 2 AM, and many more extreme training routines. Most important and famous of all, I loved to ride stationary bikes while in the sauna. I believe in the power of sweating, and exerting all that energy definitely improved my stamina. When I was traded to the Detroit Red Wings, I noticed that the arena didn’t have a sauna, so I paid some construction workers to come over and build one. Sure, my skating and offensive ability declined as I progressed into my mid forties, but my physical play and determination stayed the same, and they were arguably the best parts of my game. Also, my overall passion for hockey helped me stay dedicated and determined, as mentioned before.
Did you think the Chicago Blackhawks fans treated you unfairly when you were traded to Detroit?
Yes and no. Its true that I once said that I would never play for Detroit, and I betrayed those words when I allowed the trade to go through. Blackhawks fans have the right to be mad at me for playing for my hometown’s biggest rival, and win multiple Stanley Cups there, when I could never win one in Chicago. I have been booed and heckled many times by Hawks fans, and while that upset me, I was never really mad at the fans themselves. Near the end of my Blackhawks career, I felt constantly mistreated by the coach and management. They tried to start a youth movement for the franchise, and I was under the impression that I, as captain, would lead the charge and mentor the younger players. However, the management didn’t share that vision for the future. They informed me in the late 1990s that my contract at the time would be my last one in Chicago, and this made me feel unappreciated and that the Hawks organization thought I was washed up, with no gas left in the tank. So, when I was informed that the Hawks were trying to trade me, I didn’t veto it.
Do you think fans have the right to call you a dirty player?
Yes, I think they do in today’s game. When it was playoff time, I intentionally slashed, hit, and injured other players, all for the purpose of winning. My most famous incident was an elbow to the head of Brian Propp in the 1989 playoffs. Most people also don’t know that the hit was in retaliation to Propp breaking two of my fingers with a slash earlier in the season. I hit Propp intending to cause him some pain, but I never meant to give him a seriously dangerous injury like the one he sustained from the hit. Also, during most of my playing career, hits were tolerated by the NHL that would be considered extremely dirty today. So yes, I made many questionable hits and slashes over my career, but the time period was different, and I definitely was not one of the dirtiest players of the time.
What was your favorite moment in your NHL/International hockey career?
Probably winning the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. I played on some great Olympic teams before this, but we never triumphed over Canada. When the horn sounded and my teammates poured over the boards, I had never felt so proud in my life. I am a massive patriot and love representing my country. Also, you could hear the anger and disappointment in every Canadian’s voice in the days after we won. Hockey was their game, and we were better at it than them. The Canadians were not going to forget this, and they came back for revenge in the next Olympics. However, it was still worth it, and definitely the best moment in my hockey career.
What would you say is the worst experience or moment in your NHL/International hockey career?
The worst experience in my hockey career was most likely losing the 1992 Stanley Cup Finals to Mario Lemieux and the Pittsburgh Penguins. I was still on the Blackhawks at the time, and I knew this was my chance to win the Stanley Cup for my hometown. However, we couldn’t get it done. We were all disappointed by it, and I felt that I let Chicago down. We still had a good team in the years after, but looking back on it, the team we had that year was our best chance of winning it all by far.
Who would you say is the greatest American born hockey player of all time?
I won’t include myself in this discussion, but there are lots of great choices. New York Rangers legend Brian Leetch is probably in my top three, and he definitely the best defenseman on my list. Mike Modano is another great option, as he is the highest scoring American player of all time. Those two are legendary players, but Brett Hull is clearly the best player to wear the USA sweater. However, he was born in Canada, even though his mother was American and he later chose to play for the USA in international hockey instead of Canada. Patrick Kane is also amazing, and he is in my top 5 and his career is far from over.
Who were your favorite and least favorite coaches to play for?
I absolutely loved playing for Scotty Bowman in Detroit, and that is fitting because most people believe him to be the best coach of all time. He was energetic, focused, and had an amazing hockey IQ. He has also won 9 Stanley Cups, something all other coaches can’t even imagine. My least favorite coach was probably Mike Keenan, who coached me in Chicago. Keenan was effective at times, but his constant belittlement of the players kept the locker room on edge so much that the chemistry between players was nonexistent.
Who was your biggest enemy in hockey on the ice?
I would say Dale Hunter was my biggest on ice enemy. Many think that it was Brian Propp because of the arguably dirty hit I threw on him during my time in Montreal, but this was not the case, as I never really wanted to hurt him badly. However, Hunter and I would constantly go after each other. One time, Hunter hit me so hard he knocked me unconscious. I woke up in the dressing room after I was carried off the ice. During a brawl in a different game, Hunter chased me around the ice for about two minutes, and he never caught me. I have always been proud of that, mostly because of how I made Hunter look silly.
What was the best NHL/International hockey team you played for?
Even though I played for the US Olympic team multiple times, I would still say the 2001-02 Detroit Red Wings were the best team I ever played on. The roster was bloated with superstars. Steve Yzerman, Nick Lidstrom, Dominik Hasek, Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille, Brendan Shanahan, Pavel Datsyuk, Sergei Fedorov and myself were all on that team, and all of us were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. We won the President’s Trophy for the best team in the regular season, and eventually we won the Stanley Cup.
February 6, 2015
Judging that this is one of my favorite hockey players of all time, this review
would seem a bit biased. I really liked it and it was what you would expect it
to be, a rundown of his life from childhood to retirement and induction into the
hockey HOF and a little bit of what's going on in his head at the time. Great anecdotal
stories keep this awesome and I learned something new not only about Cheli, but about
the of things going on in hockey in general in those days. NOT as good as Ken Dryden's
book, but like I said, Cheli is one of my favorites. Highly recommend!
would seem a bit biased. I really liked it and it was what you would expect it
to be, a rundown of his life from childhood to retirement and induction into the
hockey HOF and a little bit of what's going on in his head at the time. Great anecdotal
stories keep this awesome and I learned something new not only about Cheli, but about
the of things going on in hockey in general in those days. NOT as good as Ken Dryden's
book, but like I said, Cheli is one of my favorites. Highly recommend!
July 10, 2015
I still love "Cheli" as an amazing hockey player but I wish this book would have had more "meat." He drank a lot, got in lots of trouble and has lots of famous friends. I learned more about him in the acknowledgements.
July 8, 2016
It's not going to win a Pulitzer but it's a good and fun read nonetheless. Chelios drinking stories are worth the read.
December 23, 2022
After reading Gordie Howe's autobiography, I delved into the life story of another NHL legend: Chris Chelios. His book is a very light read and probably moves too breezily through his life, given the hundreds of playoff games he appeared in during his 26 years in the league. But he does share some intriguing details about the improbability of his rise to the highest ranks of hockey. He had begun playing in his home town of Chicago, where his Greek immigrant father Gus first raised him. Yet after Gus moved the family from Chicago to southern California, he found himself in a region not known for hockey. He could have remained a "beach bum," in his words, were it not for a friend named Bobby Parker who gave him the phone number for a junior hockey coach in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He got in touch with the coach and claimed that he had experience as a defenseman (even though he actually did not), so that he would have a chance to contribute north of the border.
From there, he caught the attention of the Montreal Canadiens, who selected him in the 1981 draft. He played in his first NHL game for them in 1984 and his last for the Atlanta Thrashers in 2010, when he was the second oldest player in NHL history behind only Howe. In between, he shares some great stories about his teammates with the Canadiens, Blackhawks, and Red Wings. One gains a great sense of what it was like to play for Mike Keenan in Chicago and Scotty Bowman in Detroit, for instance, and alongside Gary Suter, Steve Yzerman, or Brendan Shanahan. He provides insights into how he managed to play for so long as well, pointing to his weight lifting, paddling, and mountain biking regimen. He is also quite funny in recounting some of his escapades, such as the time he went after an undercover police officer in Madison, Wisconsin or obliged a fan who wanted to fight him. Although the book strikes me as too brief, hockey fans will enjoy his stories and feel a deep sense of admiration for the career of one of the best American-born players of all time.
From there, he caught the attention of the Montreal Canadiens, who selected him in the 1981 draft. He played in his first NHL game for them in 1984 and his last for the Atlanta Thrashers in 2010, when he was the second oldest player in NHL history behind only Howe. In between, he shares some great stories about his teammates with the Canadiens, Blackhawks, and Red Wings. One gains a great sense of what it was like to play for Mike Keenan in Chicago and Scotty Bowman in Detroit, for instance, and alongside Gary Suter, Steve Yzerman, or Brendan Shanahan. He provides insights into how he managed to play for so long as well, pointing to his weight lifting, paddling, and mountain biking regimen. He is also quite funny in recounting some of his escapades, such as the time he went after an undercover police officer in Madison, Wisconsin or obliged a fan who wanted to fight him. Although the book strikes me as too brief, hockey fans will enjoy his stories and feel a deep sense of admiration for the career of one of the best American-born players of all time.
April 9, 2019
I got this book for Christmas the year before I moved to Chicago, and it's funny because I had my fair share of Chris Chelios path-crossings in my youth. That's a story for another time, but I did happen to get my book autographed.
The "co-author" of the book, a sports writer, ranked Chris Chelios as the greatest American player ever - and I think that could be a fair assessment. He is a man who has played in front of some tough crowds: Being a non-francophone captain of the Habs; being the hometown hero to being forced out of Chicago; having been a former hawk coming to the Wings, and then, of course, being on some of the best US National Teams. It was an experience, first, to relive the 2002 Stanley Cup Wings team - what a lineup. But more generally, to read about how Chelios handled being moved from his hometown team to mine. It is still a shame to this day that the Hawks fans booed him upon his return to be honored - although maybe the crowd would've been less hostile if the game wasn't against the wings.
Chelios is definitely one of the players that I modelled my game after - a tough physical defensive presence with offensive ability. I had the size advantage, but he definitely had the skill. The book does further his case to be considered among the Gretzkys, Howes, and Lindsays - the greats of the game.
The "co-author" of the book, a sports writer, ranked Chris Chelios as the greatest American player ever - and I think that could be a fair assessment. He is a man who has played in front of some tough crowds: Being a non-francophone captain of the Habs; being the hometown hero to being forced out of Chicago; having been a former hawk coming to the Wings, and then, of course, being on some of the best US National Teams. It was an experience, first, to relive the 2002 Stanley Cup Wings team - what a lineup. But more generally, to read about how Chelios handled being moved from his hometown team to mine. It is still a shame to this day that the Hawks fans booed him upon his return to be honored - although maybe the crowd would've been less hostile if the game wasn't against the wings.
Chelios is definitely one of the players that I modelled my game after - a tough physical defensive presence with offensive ability. I had the size advantage, but he definitely had the skill. The book does further his case to be considered among the Gretzkys, Howes, and Lindsays - the greats of the game.
November 3, 2018
I was never a big Chris Chelios fans when he played against the Red Wings as a Canadian or Blackhawk but became a fan when he became a Wing. The book is okay but he leaves a lot of the stuff that would be interesting, the drinking and partying out. There are a couple of times where he doesn’t name names. I also would have liked to hear a little more about the union issues which caused several lock outs that are covered in just 1 chapter and deals a lot with his relationship with Brendan Shanahan.
December 26, 2023
What a great journey, and told so humbly, yet mischievously by the greatest American hockey player. Amazing parental relationship, journey to Canada, college experience, Olympic opportunity, and professional career in the NHL, and beyond. Nice anecdotes telling just enough, but not enough to render the guilty, actually guilty in a court of law. 😂 So many celebrities drawn to his personality, too many names to drop, so I won’t. (He was averse to doing so too, it seemed to me. Just wanted to play hockey, and got lucky enough to do so till 47 years old. Crusty, old Chris Chelios.
June 16, 2019
A decent autobiography on one of the best hockey players ever, Chris Chelios. Doesn’t get too detailed but maybe that’s the problem with this book. Chelios played in four decades and won 3 Stanley Cups. Would have liked to have seen more info on all his playoff series. Good info on his transition from playing with Detroit after so long playing with Chicago. Really good info on how he became a hockey player and a lot of his teammates but in the end I kind of wished for more. Still enjoyable.
September 29, 2017
Being from Wisconsin and a blackhawks fan this book was right in my wheelhouse. If you like Chris chelios you’ll enjoy this book. The flow of the book was a little choppy and I can see how the interesting parts wouldn’t appeal to a broad audience. There are better hockey books out there but this one was worth the read for me.
May 13, 2024
I liked that there wasn’t long drawn out chapters before getting to the NHL stage of his career. I found this a very honest and enlightening read on a very long and successful NHL career. Great read.
June 7, 2017
Fun easy read. Love Hockey. Love USA Hockey.
June 17, 2017
Great read. Chelios doesn't shy away from this book. From his personal wins and loses, and his up and downs in his professional career, this book does not disappoint.
October 31, 2017
A really good hockey book, and a great look into arguably one of the best American players in hockey. The book did make me think chelios is kind of a dick. But still a really good, easy read.
March 14, 2018
Simple, easy to read version of the live and trials is one of the greatest defensemen in all of hockey. Chris starts at the beginning, with his childhood, and ends with his hall of fame induction.
August 16, 2019
Learned a lot about Chris Chelios. His beliefs and priorities and much more! I believe it was written with openness and honesty.
January 11, 2020
Excellent read on a great hockey player from Chicago. What a ride he gives you thru 26 years playing hockey and the people he met on that journey.
September 23, 2021
Really good book tells a lot about that you would not no
Read
January 24, 2023Newly into watching hockey, really enjoyed the stories he told
February 19, 2023
Interesting read. He was painfully honest with his stories, indicating just how dirty a player he really was.
May 8, 2016
This book is a personal odyssey shared with people who appreciated the career of Chris Chelios in the National Hockey League; this book is much more than Hockey. Reading through these pages the book became to me a story of one’s family – specifically the Chelios family. Mr. Chelios of course focuses on his career and his existence within the NHL. What I found was a treasure trove of sorts that allowed me to reflect on my own existence. When I think of Chris Chelios I have thoughts of how I watched the Chicago Blackhawks lose to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992 Stanley Cup Finals. I think too of Jeremy Roenick, Ed Balfour – opposing thoughts recur too of the bar I was frequenting in Dayton Ohio and I think of Rick Tocchet and Mario Lemiuex along with Jaromír Jágr. When I think of Chris Chelios I also think of two wonderful nephews; both successful now in their own manner and who only knew of Chris Chelios as a Detroit Red Wing. My memories are mostly of my nephews when I think of Chris Chelios. I managed to watch his induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame the night he was inducted – for me it was a matter of personal choice and out of respect it was simply great to watch.
Mr. Chelios did me a favor once; I am certain he would never remember my face but that is ok by me, the favor he did was of the most importance to me personally and that is all that matters. For a brief few moments when talking with him, his brother Stevie was there along with his sister and brother in law and a cool young nephew I believe was no older than 10 at the time – it was for me as a lifelong Hockey fan a simple moment of taking it in and accepting what the moment was worth. Mr. Brett Hull, Mr. Brendan Shanahan, Mr. Sergei Federov, and a host of other players were all nearby – this was after a game against the Anaheim Ducks in Anaheim; later, I would see Mr. Chelios two more times at the Staple Center in Los Angeles as the Red Wings were playing the Kings. The reason I like this book so much is that the book reads as though it “sounds” like the voice of Chris Chelios. The book is a story, a memoir, a reflection of many experiences to me that is more a story of the Human Condition. I appreciated that there were no self-deprecating aggrandizements within. There are of course stories of the fun, I got a laugh when I was reading the pages where Mr. Chelios was hiding in the limo awaiting Dennis Rodman in Utah during the Chicago Bulls run against Karl Malone and the Utah Jazz – Mr. Rodman wanted to go to Vegas by car after the game and Mr. Chelios recalls how he was hiding “low” as Phil Jackson was screaming after Rodman asking him repeatedly that “You will be at practice tomorrow Dennis, right?” To which Mr. Rodman answered “yes, yeah sure, no worries” and Dennis got into the car Mr. Phil Jackson briefly looks in and hollers “…I see you Chelios!...” LOL. Well, boys will be boys is all I have to say to this. Gave me a good laugh as I was reading.
This book does not end here however, Mr. Chelios is still alive and well and doing those things I presume with his family that he loves to do – there is more I speculate of the life yet to be lived. The biography and memoir of Ken Dryden is the litmus test for all athletes in my opinion. I hope Mr. Chelios will come back in 10 years from the time of this published book in 2014 and update it in his manner and in his "voice." I hope he speaks to the game of Hockey as he sees it develop and that he shares with his fans and others who may never have seen a game of NHL or Minor League Hockey the story that is yet to be told.
Homer’s Odyssey is a great Greek Classic – it is only fitting that Mr. Chelios share his odyssey going forward for those points deemed appropriate by him. This is a wonderful book, a collector’s item in my opinion and simply put a wonderful story of the Human Condition.
Mr. Chelios did me a favor once; I am certain he would never remember my face but that is ok by me, the favor he did was of the most importance to me personally and that is all that matters. For a brief few moments when talking with him, his brother Stevie was there along with his sister and brother in law and a cool young nephew I believe was no older than 10 at the time – it was for me as a lifelong Hockey fan a simple moment of taking it in and accepting what the moment was worth. Mr. Brett Hull, Mr. Brendan Shanahan, Mr. Sergei Federov, and a host of other players were all nearby – this was after a game against the Anaheim Ducks in Anaheim; later, I would see Mr. Chelios two more times at the Staple Center in Los Angeles as the Red Wings were playing the Kings. The reason I like this book so much is that the book reads as though it “sounds” like the voice of Chris Chelios. The book is a story, a memoir, a reflection of many experiences to me that is more a story of the Human Condition. I appreciated that there were no self-deprecating aggrandizements within. There are of course stories of the fun, I got a laugh when I was reading the pages where Mr. Chelios was hiding in the limo awaiting Dennis Rodman in Utah during the Chicago Bulls run against Karl Malone and the Utah Jazz – Mr. Rodman wanted to go to Vegas by car after the game and Mr. Chelios recalls how he was hiding “low” as Phil Jackson was screaming after Rodman asking him repeatedly that “You will be at practice tomorrow Dennis, right?” To which Mr. Rodman answered “yes, yeah sure, no worries” and Dennis got into the car Mr. Phil Jackson briefly looks in and hollers “…I see you Chelios!...” LOL. Well, boys will be boys is all I have to say to this. Gave me a good laugh as I was reading.
This book does not end here however, Mr. Chelios is still alive and well and doing those things I presume with his family that he loves to do – there is more I speculate of the life yet to be lived. The biography and memoir of Ken Dryden is the litmus test for all athletes in my opinion. I hope Mr. Chelios will come back in 10 years from the time of this published book in 2014 and update it in his manner and in his "voice." I hope he speaks to the game of Hockey as he sees it develop and that he shares with his fans and others who may never have seen a game of NHL or Minor League Hockey the story that is yet to be told.
Homer’s Odyssey is a great Greek Classic – it is only fitting that Mr. Chelios share his odyssey going forward for those points deemed appropriate by him. This is a wonderful book, a collector’s item in my opinion and simply put a wonderful story of the Human Condition.
February 4, 2015
Growing up in suburban Chicago in the 90s, I knew very little about hockey and the Blackhawks. In those days, home games weren't televised and I didn't have cable to watch away games (if they were televised--I honestly don't know). The sport was far behind the football, baseball, and basketball in this part of the country. Even so, I knew at the time that the Hawks were good, and that Chris Chelios was one of their best players. Following hockey's renaissance in this town the last several years, and my own relatively new interest in the sport, comes Chelios's autobiography.
The book is a fast read, and it's pretty interesting, though I couldn't help but feel that he left some of the most interesting details of his life out. I would have liked to have heard more from him about what it was like to win his first Stanley Cup with the Canadiens, and then come close again with the Blackhawks in 1992, How did it feel to get called up to the NHL for the first time? One of the most important moments in his career is only mentioned off-handedly. Instead, the book is filled with his experiences partying with his famous friends, and some of the personalities he conflicted with during his time in the league.
Made in America is worth the read, especially if you're a Canadiens, Blackhawks, or Red Wings fan, but it leaves a great deal to be desired from one of the sport's most interesting personalities.
The book is a fast read, and it's pretty interesting, though I couldn't help but feel that he left some of the most interesting details of his life out. I would have liked to have heard more from him about what it was like to win his first Stanley Cup with the Canadiens, and then come close again with the Blackhawks in 1992, How did it feel to get called up to the NHL for the first time? One of the most important moments in his career is only mentioned off-handedly. Instead, the book is filled with his experiences partying with his famous friends, and some of the personalities he conflicted with during his time in the league.
Made in America is worth the read, especially if you're a Canadiens, Blackhawks, or Red Wings fan, but it leaves a great deal to be desired from one of the sport's most interesting personalities.
April 2, 2015
Made in America is the best Hockey book I've read, I've read many, in my life. The best thing about it to me was how he played in the minors because it showed how hard he worked. He would play hockey, and work a job at the lumber yard for only 400$ a week. Since he lived in San Diego for a couple of years he was behind the other players; so he would go to the rink at strange hours to practice his shot. Not only that but he would get discrimination from other players, Canadians, for being an American in a Canadian league. After he played in the minors for two years, he eventually got to play hockey for Wisconsin. I didn't like the part when he was in the pro's as much because it didn't relate to me as much. But overall I thought any one who plays sports will like this book, especially hockey players.
April 2, 2015
The book I read was Made in America, a story about great American born hockey player Chris Chelios. I liked the book because it talks about one of my favorite hockey players, which is Chris Chelios. The book was very detailed, but the book skipped over most of Chris' childhood. The book tells us of many stories; they usually occur in Canada.Although the book is about Chris Chelios, he talks about many other great hockey players. Chris Chelios' book, Made in America, is one for young hockey players. It is also for fans of hockey or the teams he played for. Overall, I would recommend this book for you to read.
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August 30, 2016What a dick...He decides who is aloud to celebrate their goals and who is too still too much of a rookie.
The rookies get there wrists broken because the celebrated a little too hard or long...
And the hotel room that was trashed by Team USA, doesn't tell you anything new or who the offender(s) were but says since he was Captain and felt responsible he picked up bill for the rowdiness.
Not a good book, disapointing, what a dick!
The rookies get there wrists broken because the celebrated a little too hard or long...
And the hotel room that was trashed by Team USA, doesn't tell you anything new or who the offender(s) were but says since he was Captain and felt responsible he picked up bill for the rowdiness.
Not a good book, disapointing, what a dick!
June 9, 2015
This was a very easy read as it took me only 20 hours, and that includes a full night's worth of sleep. Only gets a 4 star review because I read J.R. by Jeremy Roenick and there was a lot of overlap, thanks to them both being Blackhawks and US olympians at the same time. Great book that is raw and honest. As a casual hockey fan it was a great way to kill a day.
March 11, 2015
Chicago guy in Hall of fame
I remember Chris playing for Mt. Carmel when I was coaching at St. Rita. I thought he needs to grow some to play in the Catholic League. I guess he did. Great book Chris.
I remember Chris playing for Mt. Carmel when I was coaching at St. Rita. I thought he needs to grow some to play in the Catholic League. I guess he did. Great book Chris.
June 19, 2015
This is a quick read and well written by Chelli's co-author. Whether you're a fan of Chris Chelios, the Red Wings, or hockey, this is a good straightforward book. Chelios takes responsibility for his actions, good or bad. I recommend it for any hockey fan.
December 18, 2015
There were some good anecdotes from his playing days, but this is far from a tell all and on subjects that people would really like to get more insight on (his leaving Chicago, the Nagano debacle), he avoided or didn't go deeply into. Unless you are a huge Cheli fan, it's not worth your time.
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