NHL.com article
November 4, 2006
by John McGourty
The recently retired Steve Yzerman was not only a great player, but was also a terrific leader.
Sir Harry Lauder was a great Scottish patriot and vaudevillian of the early part of the 20th Century. Many of his 22 tours of North America were billed as his “final retirement” tour until it became a running gag. For a time, people in varied walks of life who retired and then came back were referred to as “pulling a Harry Lauder.” Once-contemporary references get dated and forgotten or we’d be hearing the term used in reference to Barbra Streisand’s current “final retirement” tour this season, 12 years after her last “final retirement” tour.
Lauder’s efforts on behalf of British troops in World War I and his comedic timing and content made him beloved throughout the free world. Winston Churchill called him Britain’s greatest export and George V knighted him in 1919. His “retirement” appearances, even in the hard years of the Great Depression, were sellouts.
Similarly, you’ll be hard pressed to get a seat when they raise Steve Yzerman’s No. 19 banner to the ceiling of Joe Louis Arena on Jan. 2 in a pre-game ceremony before the Red Wings take on the Anaheim Ducks. Or, Monday when Yzerman will be awarded the Lester Patrick Award for outstanding contributions to American hockey.
That contribution is mainly summed up by the way Yzerman restored respect and enthusiasm for the Detroit Red Wings and the resultant spillover in Michigan hockey. There were less than a handful of Michigan-raised players in the NHL when Yzerman arrived in Detroit. Two decades later, there are 15 players from Michigan and more in juniors, the minors and colleges. Detroit youth-hockey clubs have won numerous national championships.
