AmericaJR Online article
January 13, 2003

Steve Yzerman, captain of the Detroit Red Wings is ready for a comeback after his surgery on his knee.

He has been traveling with the team to Chicago and Colorado. Yzerman has begun to skate and practice with his team. The captain is planning on returning to the game soon.

On Aug. 2, 2002 he had an osteotomy which is a re-alignment procedure on his right knee. Yzerman admits, “The doctors said that generally people that go through an osteotomy feel better after six months, and February will be six month.” He adds, “I feel better and I’ve improved what I’m trying to do each week.”

The captain is 37-years-old and is playing in his 20th NHL season. He has 658 career goals and 1,662 points. Yzerman has won three Stanley Cups in his career with the Detroit Red Wings.

Yzerman’s doctor who performed the surgery was Dr. Peter Fowler. “I think it’s probably 50-50 he’ll feel sufficiently well enough to play hockey again.” He adds, “In a way, I wouldn’t mind seeing him hang up the skates.”

The Red Wings captain admits, “We talked about that at length this summer and that’s his opinion.” He adds, “A doctor’s point of view is to look at what’s best for my knee because they don’t want me to damage my knee more.” One day soon Yzerman will be playing hockey for the Red Wings so keep an eye on your TV set.

The Detroit Red Wings are now 25-11-7. They won their last game on Monday 5-4 in overtime over the Chicago BlackHawks. They will be at Chicago tonight at 8:30pm.