ESPN Magazine article
June 14, 2002
by Eric Adelson
Three months ago, his trainer wondered if he was fit to skate. Two months ago, he was instructed not to jump. And by this month, the man had trouble walking.
Yet there was Steve Yzerman on Thursday night, assisting on the goal that cemented his third Stanley Cup, and then leaping into the arms of Brendan Shanahan like a catcher tackling a pitcher after a no-hitter.
Twenty-three games. Twenty-three shots of painkillers. Twenty-three points. The pinnacle of Steve Yzerman’s performance has come with the peak of his pain.
NHL.com article
June 14, 2002
by Shawn P. Roarke
The Stanley Cup is not won without heart and it’s hard to imagine any player with as much heart as Steve Yzerman.
So, it was only fitting that the 37-year-old Yzerman was the first Detroit player to touch the Stanley Cup after Thursday’s Game 5 victory against Carolina that decided the series.
As Detroit’s captain, history demanded that he accept the Cup. This postseason, however, common sense could have just as easily been the determining factor in Yzerman’s honor.
There is no arguing that Yzerman has been the shining star on a team full of all-stars; legends brought together with Thursday night’s championship ceremony in mind.
Despite the laundry list of greats — goalie Dominik Hasek, defensemen Chris Chelios and Nicklas Lidstrom, forwards Brendan Shanahan, Brett Hull, Igor Larionov and Sergei Fedorov — there is no denying this Detroit squad is Yzerman’s team.
And, Yzerman was quick to share his moment with the Stanley Cup. Handed the trophy by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Yzerman almost immediately handed the chalice to Scotty Bowman, who announced his retirement right after the game.
