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By Andrew Sodergren

Hall-of-Famer Ted Lindsay isn't afraid to share his opinions on the game of hockey.

Lindsay, who teamed with fellow Hall-of-Famers Gordie Howe and Sid Abel to form the 'Production Line' for the Detroit Red Wings in the '40s and '50s, was in Naples this week visiting friends. He attended an Everblades game on Tuesday, something he couldn't have envisioned when he was a star player.

"I played when it was a six-team league," Lindsay said. "And the teams were concentrated to the northern part of the United States and Canada. It's really amazing how it's expanded over the years, especially at the amateur level. Nowadays, you've got kids coming out of Florida who can play the sport due to facilities like these (Germain Arena). I think that's wonderful."

Lindsay said the game was much different during his playing days, in which he earned the moniker "Terrible Ted" for his extremely competitive nature and his ability to hold his own in fights despite his smallish 5-foot-8, 160-pound frame.

"They didn't have what you call enforcers in the game back then," Lindsay said. "Back then, if you got yourself into trouble, you'd have to get yourself out of it."

Lindsay said it was wonderful to see Howe develop from an inexperienced rookie to the greatest player of his day.

"People always come up to me and ask what it was like to play with Gordie Howe," Lindsay said. "I tell them 'you should ask him what it was like to play with me, I was here first.' I truly believe Gordie was the greatest hockey player of all time. He really grew as a player in his first few years with us."

Lindsay, Howe and Abel teamed up for a pair of Stanley Cup championships for the Red Wings. Lindsay replaced Abel as team captain in 1952, and the Red Wings won two more Cups.

But Lindsay remembers his days with Howe and Abel fondly, as the line truly had something special.

"In hockey, the man who makes the play isn't the one who has the puck, but the one who is moving without it," Lindsay said. "And we all had that special ability to get into the right spot, so the man with the puck could get it to us for a scoring opportunity. We just knew where the other one was at all times."

Lindsay wasn't just an outstanding hockey player, as his off-the-ice work resonates with players today.

Lindsay was instrumental in starting the NHL's Players Association in 1956.

"Hockey was a dictatorship back then, and the players weren't protected all that well," Lindsay said. "I had discussions with (Hall-of-Fame baseball player) Bob Feller, who was the president of the baseball player's association at the time. I really did some research on it and got together with players from other teams like Doug Harvey (Montreal Canadiens), which was a strange happening itself. Back then, with a six-team league, you played the other teams 14 times. You did everything to avoid players from other teams, but this was important and we all came together to make it happen."

The NHLPA got off the ground with Lindsay's help, but it earned him a ticket out of Detroit. He was traded to Chicago after his finest offensive season in 1955-56, and Lindsay suspects it was out of spite.

"I don't think the ownership and front office in Detroit cared too much for my work with the player's association," Lindsay said. "But I'd do it all over again."

Lindsay missed his Hall-of-Fame induction, but he wasn't slighting the organization. He was again taking a stand.

"Believe me, it was a tremendous honor to make the Hall-of-Fame," he said. "But the ceremony was an all-male affair and I wanted my family to be there with me. My wife (Joanne) and kids all made sacrifices during my career. When we were winning, I was the greatest guy to be around. When we were losing, you really didn't want to be around me. I felt it was important for my family to share the moment with me, and didn't feel it was right that they couldn't, so I didn't go."

Lindsay's stand again made a difference, as the rules were changed the next year, allowing women to attend the Hall ceremony.

These days, the 81-year-old Lindsay lives and works in Detroit, where he works in the automobile industry as a manufacturers' representative. He still follows the game of hockey, but doesn't hesitate when asked if he prefers the game of his time or today.

"I think the game was better in our time," he said without hesitation. "I think there are probably better athletes today."