When Chris Chelios was playing dominant defense for the Blackhawks in the early 1990s, one of his assistant coaches -- who shall stay unnamed to protect his foolishness -- predicted Chelios wouldn't age well as a player.

Well, look who turns 46 today and is still in the NHL playing 17 minutes of excellent defense a night for the best team in hockey, the Detroit Red Wings.

Chelios became a workout fiend during his years with the Hawks, and it's that discipline to be the fittest guy on his team that has brought him this far.

"A freak of nature," is how Chelios was once described by former teammate Trent Yawney.

Chelios has said he hopes to play until he's 50, at which time he could be the first player since Gordie Howe to have in his wallet both an NHLPA union card and an AARP card.

If anyone can do it, Chelios can. When it comes to competitors, there's nobody like him.

tsassone@dailyherald.com