Age just a number for Red Wings stalwart Chelios

DETROIT (Reuters) - When defenseman Chris Chelios hoisted his first Stanley Cup in 1986, NHL MVP Sidney Crosby had not yet been born and three of his current Detroit Red Wings team mates were just learning to walk.

During 24 seasons patrolling NHL bluelines and muscling monstrous forwards from the front of his net, Chelios has seen hundreds of team mates come and go, arenas built and demolished, franchises born and others disappear.

He has captained the U.S. hockey team at three Olympics, winning a silver medal in 2002 at Salt Lake City and has not completely ruled out playing in a fourth in 2010 at the Vancouver Winter Games.

Only one player, "Mr Hockey" Gordie Howe, who was 52 years, 6 days old when he made his last NHL appearance on April 6, 1980, remains ahead of Chelios on the all-time list of oldest players to skate in the NHL.

Each day Chelios goes to work at Joe Louis Arena he passes a bronze statue dedicated to Howe, reminding him and others that age is only a number and you are only as old as you feel.

On Friday, Chelios celebrates his 46th birthday but the three-time Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's top defenseman insists retirement is not yet in sight, while also acknowledging that the end is only one bone-crunching check away.

"I think my training in the summer is the reason that has helped prevent injuries but you look around you're only one hit away from ending your career," Chelios told Reuters.

"Obviously at my age if I do get hurt or sustain a significant injury people are going to question your ability to come back at the age I'm at.

"As much as people talk about my age it doesn't seem to be an issue about how I play.

"You like to say you appreciate every shift but in the end you're still competitive and you always want more, you want to win so let's just say I'm content.

"As for the Olympics, they are a long way off. I don't want to hold any young kids back but there is always a need for defensive defensemen, penalty killers, so we'll see."

FREAK OF NATURE

Chelios's longevity in a punishing sport is a product of a fitness regime that has become legendary.

Team mates describe him as "a freak of nature," his dedication to working out and game preparation bordering on fanatical.

Chelios's teams have made the post-season 22 times, asking more mileage from his body, and he continues to log a large number of minutes on a team at the top of the NHL standings.

Over more than two decades, with stints in Montreal, Chicago and the last nine seasons in Detroit, Chelios has survived by allowing his game to evolve from one the NHL's top offensive minded defensemen to a stay-at-home mentor for young team mates like Brett Lebda.

"It's unbelievable," marvels Lebda, who was not even born when the Montreal Canadiens selected Chelios in the second round of the 1981 draft. "Unless someone tells you how old he is age is nothing to him.

"He has the body of a 25-year-old. It's just a tribute to him how hard he works out.

"He's going to be 46-years-old and there's a reason he's playing this game and it's obviously not money. He wants to win, his passion is winning."

That passion and relentless drive are not limited to hockey.

GREEK BOBSLED VENTURE

When the 2004-2005 NHL season was wiped out due a labor dispute, a restless Chelios turned his energy to building a Greek bobsled team with hopes of qualifying and competing at the 2006 Turin Olympics.

After the NHL reached a settlement and players returned to work, it was a disgruntled Chelios who led a small group of players questioning why the NHL players' association membership was not consulted on the hiring of new union boss Ted Saskin.

Chelios's unrelenting quest for answers resulted in law suits, court action and ultimately contributed to Saskin's firing.

"I think that is most impressive thing about him is that he has this stubbornness, a mental toughness he doesn't believe that he can't do anything," said Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, who is over a year younger than Chelios.

"He has this belief in himself he can do anything. It doesn't matter what he's doing, he's going to do it well and he's going to compete at it.

"The mental toughness you must have is phenomenal. Just think of the number of times he's had to prepare.

"Most of us would just get tired and go home and count our money but he just loves it."

(Editing by Dave Thompson)