#CacConnections: Chris Chelios, godfather of current Bowdoin player, thanks former Trinity player TR Goodman in HOF Induction speech

Chris Chelios thanked Goodman (Trinity '83) in HOF induction speech

27 year NHL veteran (1983-2010) Chris Chelios - the most seasoned American-born player in NHL history - was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame yesterday, Veterans Day 2013. Today, Bowdoin released its 2013-14 hockey roster, which included Jay Kourkoulis, Chelios' godson.

Chelios lasted in the NHL as long as he did thanks in large part to his tremendous physical fitness. His indefatigable workout ethic even led him to seek a spot on the Greek bobsled team at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Greece didn't qualify, but Chelios appeared in Turin anyway as captain of the USA hockey team.

The three-time Norris Trophy winner didn't just train hard, he trained smart. Chelios' longtime trainer was T.R. Goodman, who once made The Hockey News list of "100 People of Power and Influence." In a Men's Health interview, the founder of Pro Camp Sports said that he sought to get Chelios in "bulletproof" shape. Goodman doesn't just train players to get bigger and stronger, he meticulously plans out their workouts so they have injury-resistant conditioning.

One of Goodman's assets in training hockey players is that he himself played the game. The Connecticut native played for Trinity in the early 1980s, captaining the Bantams in 1981-82 and 82-83. He played under longtime Trinity coach John Dunham, the same man that coached and mentored current Bantams bench boss, 2013 NESCAC Coach of the Year Matt Greason. Goodman amassed 95 career points (30-65-95) during his time in Hartford.

Goodman continues to train NHL athletes today at his Venice Beach gym in California, including up-and-coming Anaheim Ducks forward Emerson Etem. Goodman, who is of African American descent like Etem, was featured in an article this past summer on the The Color of Hockey blog,a site dedicated to hockey for fans and players of color.

Back to Chelios. During his ten minute HOF induction speech (embed below), he took the time to thank Goodman. At 2:05, Chelios says the following, which got a laugh from the crowd at the end:

"It's true I trained hard. I don't know if I trained harder than any other athlete, but I sure started earlier than everybody and probably did it longer than everybody.  For my trainer, TR Goodman, of 20 years I thank him for that, I couldn't have done it without him. It was a love-hate relationship, mostly hate. It wasn't fun." 

 Congrats to Chelios on making the HOF and congrats to Trinity alum T.R. Goodman on helping him get  there. And keep rocking that awesome moustache, T.R., especially during Movember.