SI.com column
January 5, 2007
by Darren Elliot

This week the calendar flipped from 2006 to 2007 and in Hockeytown they turned the page on an era neither the city nor the NHL is likely to witness again.

The Detroit Red Wings raised Steve Yzerman’s number 19 to the rafters of Joe Louis Arena in honor of his league-record 20 years as the team’s captain. Precious few players spend their entire careers in one city, performing for a singular fan base, answering to the same owner — never mind wearing the ‘C’ for two decades. Yet, almost inconceivably, that is precisely what Yzerman did during his days on the ice in Detroit.

The details of the career molded the man who is now the VP of the club. Yzerman the player and Yzerman the person grew up simultaneously under the scrutiny of a demanding fan base. Standing and addressing the adoring faithful last Tuesday night, Yzerman acknowledged as much, however doing so with his personas fully formed and long ago melded. No longer was there need for distinction between the man and the player. He had grown up before their eyes and, as he said, everything they were bestowing upon him personally was a reflection of what they had achieved together — he, the fans, and the organization — from Mr. and Mrs. Ilitch to all the players he’d played with.

No, there was no separation at all. Steve Yzerman was one of them… now and forever.

Almost as a counterpoint to the Yzerman story, the Ottawa Senators acquired Mike Comrie from the Phoenix Coyotes this week. Comrie is a skilled centerman who finds himself with his fourth organization — traded three times over the past four years, which includes the lockout non-season. Sure, he has made some mistakes of youth, but that alone doesn’t account for his inability to stick. Maybe being a hometown draftee of the Edmonton Oilers and having some relative early success only to force a trade with a contract holdout resonates for Comrie to this day.

No matter. He now finds himself in Ottawa — a team in desperate need of a point-producing center due to injuries to the Senators’ top three pivots. If ever Comrie could get his career back on track, playing with Dany Heatley at even strength and seeing top powerplay minutes, it seemingly would be an ideal situation. If he produces, Comrie will create value for himself. But will he ingratiate himself enough to stay in Ottawa or will his vagabond journey continue? It is anyone’s guess as Comrie becomes an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.

All of which brings us back to Yzerman’s improbable career. When he arrived in Detroit, the situation was far from ideal. The Dead Wings were a franchise in disarray. The Ilitch’s were a year into the NHL business and to say that they endured, persevered, agonized and rejoiced with Yzerman is true. That was the sentiment the Captain put forth at his Tuesday ceremony when he said his stature as a leader was overblown. He wanted everyone to understand that so many people had a hand in the organization’s overall success that he could never stand before them and take credit.

Some in the passionate throng let loose with good-natured catcalls. They were there to give forth standing ovations, not eat the Captain’s humble pie. “Enough, Stevie!” they seemed to be chastising. But Yzerman was right. He hadn’t always been a great leader. But he stayed in place, took the heat. Felt the emotional surge of mutual admiration. He learned. He grew. He found his way. And I’m just talking about the podium, which to me made it the perfect reflection of a one-of-a-kind career.

Truly the stuff of leaders — maybe not one at ease in the glare, but certainly a leader, well, at home.