With those famous words, then-32-year-old defenseman Chris Chelios laid down the gauntlet for every crass word directed at the NHL commissioner by an active player. It’s one heck of a gauntlet. We’re still talking about it 18 years later.
That is, unless you forgot or weren’t alive in 1994 — in which case, you’ll be talking about it now …
A few things to remember first:
1. Bettman was one year into his term as commissioner. His knowledge of the game has grown in the years since.
2. Nonetheless, Bettman was still eight years away from confusing Ace Bailey with Ace Bailey.
3. The 1994-95 lockout lasted 104 days. Imagine what a 50-year-old Chelios would say now!
