Sweet Tea, Barbecue, and Bodychecks post
July 3, 2006
by Acid Queen
Out of a team that I’ve held a deep-seated loathing for since age 10, he was the only one that I could never ever say anything bad about–because there just wasn’t anything bad that could be said about him. Even through the pain and heartache and anger of 2002, I still couldn’t say anything bad about the guy–because when you play the way he did on only one good leg, that’s valour right there (and you have to respect that).
That’s about the right word for it–valour. I can’t think of this man without that word coming to mind, not after 2002. It’s right up there alongside other words used in connection with him: class, dignity, and respect.
I raise a glass in salute to Steve Yzerman, one of the classiest and most valiant players in the last quarter-century. Hail to you, Stevie Y. Hail your three Cups, 2002 Olympic gold medal, and one Hel of a career.
Fair winds and following seas, Cap’n. May you be held up to future generations as a shining example of class, dignity, valour, and respect.
The Ice Block post
July 3, 2006
by David Singer
No reason to write that he’s retiring from hockey, or calling it quits, because he’s certainly not. He’ll probably be a Red Wing for a long time to come, but his days as a player are over.
What’s amazing about Yzerman is after his 100-point seasons were done, his reputation as a player and leader grew more than ever before as he changed his style a bit and helped lead the Wings to three Cups. Fans in Pittsburgh take note: When he was given the “C” in 1986, his reputation probably wasn’t far off from what Sidney Crosby’s is today. How things change.
Below are links to some clips from his press conference announcing his retirement (along with blog posts and MSM articles). Even at a presser for him, about him, he still used the word “we” over and over, as he considered his retirement from the team’s perspective. Whether it be in the front office or somewhere behind the bench, Stevie Y isn’t going anywhere, and fans in Detroit should be grateful for that. Gordie Howe may be Mr. Hockey, but Yzerman has truly become Mr. Red Wing.
NHL.com article
July 7, 2006
by Phil Coffey and Shawn Roarke
The changing of the guard is official for the Detroit Red Wings.
Steve Yzerman, the Wings’ longtime captain and inspirational leader, as well as one of the greats in NHL history, made his retirement official Monday at a press conference.
“I just had this feeling it is time for me to move on,” Yzerman said.
Yzerman arrived in Detroit as a first-round selection in 1983, the fourth-overall pick of the Entry Draft. At the time, the Red Wings were far removed from their current status as one of the NHL’s elite teams, but with Yzerman in the fold, a new era dawned in “Hockeytown”.
Paul @ Kukla’s Korner
July 3, 2006
With Yzerman in the lineup, Wings fans knew we always had a chance to win a game. Now that security blanket has left us. July 3, 2006, the day Detroit Red Wings fans shed a tear or two.
We knew the day was coming and tried to convince ourselves to be prepared. But it hit us like a ton of bricks, took away our breath and left us stunned and dazed. #19 will never be seen on the ice again.
I joked with a fellow blogger a week or so ago the #19 is not worn by anyone in Detroit sports, both amateur and pro, but today I am not kidding. No more #19 for anyone in Detroit, we cannot look at someone else wearing it again. Besides, who could live up to it?
When I woke up this morning to learn that a press conference had been called for a major announcement, my heart sank. I knew captain Steve Yzerman would retire at some point, but at the end of each season I hoped he would give it one more year. On July 3, 2006, Yzerman decided it was time for him to finally hang up his skates. He’ll probably spend the first half of the year enjoying time spent with his wife Lisa and his daughters. But then, I won’t be surprised if he rejoins the organization with a position in management to help mold a team to a Stanley Cup championship.
His legacy will live on in the city of Detroit and with the Detroit Red Wings organization and its fans. I’ve already made a post dedicated to Yzerman’s long and wonderful career and some great comments about the athlete so I will use this one to comment on my favorite No. 19 moments and how he’s impacted my life.
Cancer survivors look to cyclist Lance Armstrong for inspiration. As someone who has spent years struggling with chronic knee pain, Steve Yzerman has become my daily source of inspiration. While I certainly never had a city, a team, and millions of fans waiting for my return from knee surgery, I’ve experienced the agony of rehabilitation and the frustration of a bothersome knee. The grimaces made by his face are prevalent in every person suffering from chronic pain. Yzerman’s courage and perseverance helped me do the same while recovering from any of my seven knee operations.
Whenever I am struggling to make it up the stairs, I think of Yzerman when, in 2002, he had an incredibly hard time climbing the steps of the airplane. I always thought that if Yzerman could be in that much pain and still lead the team in playoff points, then I can make it through the day, through my therapy, and live a relatively normal life. I just hate that Yzerman’s knee is the number one reason for hanging up his skates.
When I hear the name Steve Yzerman, I think of words like courage, respect, honor, discipline, dedication, leader, champion, passion, perseverance, humility, and athlete. The name Steve Yzerman is the definition of a champion. I’ve never heard a single hockey player speak of No. 19 in a negative way and I know that my fellow hockey bloggers hold a deep respect for the man they call “The Captain,” even if they personally hate the Wings. Not only is No. 19 a fantastic hockey player, who has overcome so many physical obstacles, he is a devoted family man always placing his first priority with his wife and daughters. He made sure that his personal life remained, well, personal.
Yzerman was a terrific captain who led by example whether it was by his play on the ice or how he acted away from the rink. He is a humble and selfless athlete who played with his team’s best interest at heart. When he was asked to develop into a stronger two-way player instead of mainly the offensive go-to guy, Yzerman did it and became one of the best. In his press conference, he told the media that “I feel like a little boy trying to please his parents when I step on the ice.” Yzerman wanted to make the city of Detroit and all of the Wings fans proud to be a member of Hockeytown. He helped owner Mike Ilitch change the team from “Dead Wings” to a sporting dynasty of the modern era.
I can’t begin to imagine the Detroit Red Wings without No. 19. Yzerman became captain right before I was born so I really don’t know hockey without Stevie Y. Each time Yzerman held that shiny silver Stanley Cup over his head, you couldn’t help but smile seeing one of the greatest hockey players celebrate his team’s hard work. I have fond memories of each victory, but I found it most rewarding to see Yzerman lift the Cup for his third and final time after he defeated his opponents with one leg.
While I certainly wish Yzerman had played for one more year, I’m happy that my last memories of No. 19 were seeing him skate in Joe Louis Arena for Game #2 of the first round of the 2006 playoffs. I’m pleased that he left with the fans wanting more. Yzerman was one of the best players for Detroit in the post season and I’m glad I can say that he left before the fans asked him too. I am excited to see how Yzerman shapes the organization in the future and look forward to seeing him celebrate more Stanley Cup victories down the road.
Thank you for the memories. Thank you for the inspiration. Thank you for three glorious seasons resulting in a parade downtown. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you for your passion for the game. Thank you for being the ultimate sports role model. Thank you for always giving 100%. Thank you for making the city of Detroit proud. Thank you for giving Wings fans a player to cheer in, to believe in, and best of all to dream with. You will always be my favorite athlete and my inspiration. Thank you.
Tomorrow…
I will collect various reactions from the media, players, and fans regarding “The Decision.” Look for this collection to appear sometime tomorrow.
Legends of Hockey article
July 3, 2006
by Joe Pelletier
Heroic. Unselfish. Intelligent. Leader. Complete. These are just a few of the adjectives used to describe Hockeytown’s Steve Yzerman.
Once he was scoring machine that used to single-handedly destroy the opposition with mind-boggling individual efforts night after night. Later he became forever remembered as the grizzled veteran captain that puts the team ahead of himself and accepts responsibility for all situations on the ice.
Steve Yzerman is a winner.
Stevie Y came out of junior hockey straight into the Detroit Red Wings camp in 1983. The Nepean, Ontario native was an outstanding center with legendary junior coach Dick Todd and his Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League, from 1981 to 1983. He had 91 points in 56 games in his second year with the Petes, but his numbers were far from what a future NHL phenom would have had because Peterborough skated four lines, each having equal playing time.
Jim Devellano, the Wings GM at the time, had originally set his sights on Michigan native Pat LaFontaine for the 1983 draft, but his plans were foiled when LaFontaine was taken 3rd by the Islanders. With some disappointment, the Red Wings were left with the small Yzerman with the 4th overall pick. (Brian Lawton and Sylvain Turgeon went 1 & 2, respectively.)
Matt Saler @ On the Wings has some really thorough notes from the press conference where Steve Yzerman announced his retirement. Here’s an excerpt:
They opened the floor to questions and Trevor Thompson was the first to say anything. He asked Yzerman what the biggest reason for his decision retire was. The Captain responded that his intention all along had been to retire but his play at the end of the season and into the playoffs had caused him to hesitate. However, when it came time to make the call to Holland to tell him he’d return, he found he couldn’t do it. He said that the condition of his knee was a major consideration since, because of it, he was becoming a “part-time player,” one who couldn’t participate in a full practice. He couldn’t see himself playing a big role because of his knee. …
He was asked what it was like to only play in one city and what his place is among the other great athletes of Detroit. He responded that he, like most draftees, felt he would always be in Detroit. He said he was lucky to actually stay here and attributed it to the team’s success and to fortunate timing. He said he was grateful for the team’s loyalty to him and said Detroit is a great city for athletes. He apparently never had a time where he wanted to play somewhere else, though there were a couple times where he thought he would. He said playing at JLA, and on the road with the sizeable contingents of road Wings fans, made it special.
In today’s press conference, captain Steve Yzerman announced his retirement. After 23 years in the NHL (19 spent as captain), No. 19 has finally decided to hang up his skates. Below my initial reaction are quotes said by Yzerman, Holland, Lindsay, and Lewis during and following the press conference.
Initial Reaction
Unfortunately, I am up north on holiday with my family. My internet is incredibly slow and I have to share our sole connection with my family (my brothers and I “fight” over the connection). Thus, my initial reaction will be brief. I’ll write a tribute of sorts today and post it later when I can go online once more. I promise that I will have a tribute post of quotes, photos, audio, and video clips of Yzerman’s career once I return from up north (July 5th). I wish that I could post it now, but it will take years to upload photographs from my connection.
I am deeply saddened that Steve Yzerman decided to retire. He became captain half a year before I was born. To me, he is the face of the organization and I will miss his presence on the ice. Little did I know that Game #2 of the Edmonton-Wings series would be Yzerman’s last game at Joe Louis Arena. I remember sitting there in the upper bowl with the clock counting towards zero thinking, “This could be the last game I see of Yzerman at the Joe.” I’ve had so many happy moments following Yzerman’s career and I look forward to seeing him in management. He will always be my favorite athlete of all time and I can’t think of a better role model for any hockey player growing up.
I promise to work on some sort of tribute today and will hopefully post it later tonight. But until then, here are some quotes from today’s press conference at JLA.
Press Conference
Ted Lindsay, Gordie Howe, Kris Draper, Mike Babcock, Ken Holland, Mike Ilitch, Jimmy D, Larry Murphy, and more sat in the Olympia Room during the press conference. While Yzerman was speaking, it really looked like Ilitch was about to cry. And Holland had his moment or two.
Quotes from Steve Yzerman during his announcement…
Ted Lindsay
“I think he’s the greatest example of what an athlete should be. How can you give advice to someone as good as he was or is?”
GM Ken Holland
“He’s got a great passion…I’ve been very lucky to develop a relationship with him…He’s going to become part of the management team.”
Kris Draper
“He made us better players and people.”
Dave Lewis
“You knew whenever he went on the ice that he was going to do his best to win that game…Most of the time [in the 2002 playoffs], he couldn’t even take one step on a time [up the airplane]…I saw the agony of rehab…[rough quote] The trainers never knew if he’d play that game even during warm ups.”
ESPN.com’s Sportnation Mailbag
July 3, 2006
From Sparky Anderson’s Tigers in 1984 to Chauncey Billups and the Pistons winning it all in 2004 (with some Barry Sanders and Isiah Thomas thrown in for good measure), Steve Yzerman has seen it all in Detroit. Other stars came and went in the Motor City, but “Stevie Y” led the way for the city’s most successful pro team for more than two decades.
But all good things must end, and sometimes the finale stands no chance of living up to the prelude. After losing a first-round series at the hands of the eventual Stanley Cup finalist Edmonton Oilers, Yzerman is hanging up his skates after 22 seasons in the NHL.
From the young center who tallied 39 goals as a rookie and soon ran off six consecutive 100-point seasons to a veteran leader on Stanley Cup champions and Team Canada, Yzerman played every role in his hockey career and played them all well.
So how will you remember Yzerman, SportsNation? Does his retirement signal a passing of the torch to new stars like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin? Will the next generation be able to live up to those standards? Whatever you have to say, sound off below!
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Kurren (Houston): Stevie was the best captain to ever play, and will probably be the best ever. To stay with one team for his whole career is really something, and that rarely happens anymore. It’s a sad day in the NHL, but we should learn from his career and enjoy what he did on and off the ice. You’ll be missed Stevie Y!
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