Detroit Free Press article
November 11, 2006
by Helene St. James
None of his former mates calls him “Mr. Yzerman.”
He might wear a suit to work every day, he might roll in at about 1 p.m. and he might have his own cubicle, but there are limits.
Steve Yzerman has been a front-office man for the Detroit Red Wings for about six weeks now. He considers his transition from player to civilian a great one, even if he’s still recognized more as the former.
Monday he was honored with the Lester Patrick Award in recognition of his outstanding service to hockey in the USA. As usual, Yzerman deflected attention away from himself.
“I’m grateful to be recognized for playing the game here in Detroit,” he said. “My contribution to hockey in the United States was just playing the game; I don’t think I did anything extraordinary.”
