Why do we have to look towards the Canadian Press to update us, Detroiters, on how No. 19 is doing as VP? I realize it’s a lot of the same “just trying to learn how the business is run,” but why couldn’t a reporter for a Detroit newspaper/media give us an update?
“I have no regret at all,” Yzerman said in an interview with The Canadian Press. “The last couple of years was a struggle just to get out there. I put a lot of effort in getting ready to play. To me, I’ve almost found it a relief to not have to physically try and keep up because it was becoming very difficult for me to do that. “I’m very happy with my decision.”
“I’m free to make my own schedule,” he says. “I don’t necessarily have to go down to Joe Louis Arena every day. I watch our team play quite a bit. I watch some of our prospects play on a regular basis, try to get to at least one game a week. And I spend some time around the office in a lot of the departments to get a feel for what they’re doing.”
George Malik at Snapshots found a newspaper article from The Record about Yzerman scouting two Wings prospects at a Saginaw Spirit game (OHL).
“He’s got a real good sense for the game,” said the 41-year-old Yzerman, who drove an hour from his Detroit-area home to see Kindl in OHL play.
“He plays his position really well. Our organization is very high on him.”
…
Last night, Yzerman spoke to Kindl after the game. Some of that Stevie Y leadership must be rubbing off a bit.“He’s a good guy,” Kindl said of Yzerman. “He tries to talk to me and I try to learn things from him.”
Canadian Press article
December 5, 2006
by Pierre Lebrun
Steve Yzerman is at peace. He made the right decision when he called it quits on a sensational 20-year playing career.
“I have no regret at all,” Yzerman said in an interview with The Canadian Press. “The last couple of years was a struggle just to get out there. I put a lot of effort in getting ready to play. To me, I’ve almost found it a relief to not have to physically try and keep up because it was becoming very difficult for me to do that. “I’m very happy with my decision.”
So happy that when he watches his team play these days, in his new front-office role as team vice-president, it feels right.
“I’ve really enjoyed watching hockey games, moreso than maybe I expected,” Yzerman said.
