Yzerman retires

Bear-Arms

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DETROIT (AP) -- Steve Yzerman's playing career is over, yet the longtime Detroit Red Wings captain isn't leaving Hockeytown anytime soon.

Yzerman, who led the Red Wings to three Stanley Cup titles and spent his entire 23-year NHL career in Detroit, said he plans to stay in the organization while devoting more time to his family.

"I look forward to a future in the game of hockey with the Red Wings in some aspect," Yzerman said Monday as he announced his retirement at Joe Louis Arena -- his home away from home for years.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland told Yzerman there is a real front-office position ready for him. It's up to Yzerman to decide how much he wishes to take on.

"I've got the utmost respect for Steve's passion and his knowledge," Holland said. "How involved he wants to be from the family standpoint? Does he need a year away? Does he want to get in part time? But certainly I see Steve coming in."

Yzerman, known for rebounding from serious injuries, said his knee and other nagging aches and pains kept him from suiting up for another season.

"I knew my role over time was decreasing, and I was comfortable with that," he said. "But what I don't want to be is out there and not doing things that I want to do. ... I question my own ability to be effective out there."

Major knee surgery limited Yzerman to 16 games in 2002-03, but he came back the following season to score 18 goals and set up 33 others in 75 games. He managed 14 goals and 20 assists in 61 games last season despite tearing muscles three times.

During the 2004 playoffs, Yzerman had to be helped off the ice after a puck broke bones near his left eye and forced him into 4 1/2 hours of surgery. After the lockout, Yzerman signed a one-year contract and returned to the ice donning a visor.

One of Detroit's most popular pro athletes, the soft-spoken player known simply as "The Captain" is the Red Wings' career leader in playoff scoring. He ranks first in assists and is second only to Gordie Howe in games played, goals and regular-season points.

Many former coaches and players were at Monday's announcement to show support for Yzerman, who was 18 when he joined the Red Wings in 1983.

"He's been a great Red Wing. He's been a humble Red Wing. He's been a leader by example," said Ted Lindsay, a Hall of Famer who helped Detroit win four Stanley Cup championships.

Yzerman played in 1,514 regular-season games, scoring 692 goals and tallying 1,755 points, sixth most in NHL history.

"The bigger the game, the better he played. You could always count on Stevie, that he was going to score a big goal," said Red Wings center Kris Draper, who played with Yzerman for 12 years.

Howe said Yzerman wasn't always the best player on the ice, but he knew how to be a leader.

"He wore that 'C' with pride," Howe said.

Yzerman had an effect on the game beyond Detroit. His achievements were recalled Monday by former Penguins star Mario Lemieux, a Hall of Famer who had his own retirement announcement earlier this year.

"Steve was a great ambassador for the game of hockey and will be sorely missed," said Lemieux, who played with Yzerman when Canada won gold at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. "Steve was a great leader, a great teammate and most importantly is a great person."

Yzerman said he swayed back and forth with his retirement decision after the end of last season.

The Red Wings had the NHL's best record in the 2005-06 season but fell to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the playoffs.

"I really enjoyed the season," Yzerman said. "It ended in disappointment, but that's the one great thing about sports in general. There's no predicting what's the outcome."

Holland said Yzerman made the decision on Friday -- the day before the free-agent shopping season began -- so Detroit could pursue players knowing that the captain wouldn't be back. He made up his mind quickly even though the Red Wings gave him until September to decide.

Holland and coach Mike Bab******* will seek Yzerman's opinion before choosing a new captain. Nicklas Lidstrom, Henrik Zetterberg, Kris Draper and Chris Chelios are candidates.

"You can't replace Steve Yzerman," Bab******* said. "Some people are just blessed with the ability to be themselves, and that's unique. But that's who Steve was."

Yzerman said the devotion and effort of team owner Mike Ilitch and his family have made the franchise the powerhouse it is.

"Players have come and players have gone. Coaches have come and gone," Yzerman said. "The one biggest reason that this organization has been able to do well, has been successful and will continue to be successful is because the Ilitches will do whatever they have to do ... to make this organization successful."

A 10-time All-Star, Yzerman was picked for the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1984. He won the Lester B. Pearson Award, an MVP trophy chosen by the players, in 1989 and the Conn Smythe Trophy honoring the playoffs MVP in 1998.

Yzerman said his most cherished memories include hoisting the Stanley Cup three times above his head and having an Olympic gold medal put around his neck.

"I've enjoyed every aspect," he said. "My whole career has really been a highlight in that I've really enjoyed playing. At the age of 5 and before that I really wanted to be an NHL player. It's all I ever wanted to do."
 

white is right

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It's hard to believe that Stevie Y was cut by Team Canada in 91'. The man just kept on getting better like fine wine (until the knee injury). It's a testimony to his work ethic ..
smiley32.gif
 

desmondjones

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Stevie Y was also cut by Keenan in '87. His numbers fell off pretty
rapidly after the '94 strike. IMO, like Gretzky and Mario his numbers
were inflated in the late 80s, early 90s. Goal per game averages in the
80s & early 90s were higher than they had ever been since
conscription was invoked during WWII and Richard scored his 50. The
fall of the USSR and the wave of Euros washing up on NHL shores really
impacted goal per game averages and put the accomplishments of guys
like Stevie Y, a good player no doubt, in the correct perspective.
 

C Darwin

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Steve Yzerman was the greatest team leader of all time.

He will most likely join the front office of the Red Wings. Good for them.
 

Don Wassall

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C Darwin said:
Steve Yzerman was the greatest team leader of all time.


That's right, at least when it comes to hockey and maybe all sports. The only hockey players in the past 20 years comparable to Steve Yzerman when it came to leadership were Mark Messier and Ron Francis, both also by the way likeYzerman among the top scorers of all time. I followed Yzerman and especially Francis and they just oozed leadership and class. Francis may be the most unappreciated white sportsman/leader ever. Edited by: Don Wassall
 

C Darwin

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Steve Yzerman joined the Detroit front office on Monday, becoming
the vice president of the Red Wings.

Yzerman, the former captain, helped guide Detroit to Stanley Cup
victories in 1997, '98 and 2002. He retired in July.

"After retiring as the longest serving captain in NHL history and the
on-ice leader of our franchise for 23 years, it is only fitting that he
join our management team," Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch said in a
statement.

Yzerman ranks eighth all-time in the NHL record books with 185
playoff points. The 10-time All-Star led all active players last season
with 1,755 regular-season points, a total that trails only five others
in league history.

His No. 19 jersey will be retired Jan. 2 and hoisted alongside Gordie
Howe's No. 9, Terry Sawchuk's No. 1, Ted Lindsay's No. 7, Alex
Delvecchio's No. 10, and Sid Abel's No. 12.

Way to go STEVE!!!


NHL.com
 

C Darwin

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Wow! I don't know if anybody saw the retirement of Yzerman's
jersey, but it was incredible!. A first rate ceremony for the classiest
person I have ever seen in my time on this planet. As I watched in
awe, I could not help but think about our discussions here and $hit
that sports casters shovel at us every day. Will the sports media give
this moment its due? Or will ESPN have expert analysis on the
brilliance of black athletes? Who will get more time on the coverage,
Yzerman or the chucklehead that got blasted outside the Denver
nightclub?


19 FOR EVER!
 
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