Office of the Governor (Jennifer Granholm)
January 13, 2007

Whereas, The Detroit Red Wing organization with the support of the National Hockey League and Olympia Entertainment, LLC have designated January 2, 2007, as a day to honor Steve Yzerman; and,

Whereas, Yzerman, who recently retired from the Detroit Red Wing Hockey Club, will be only the 6th Detroit Red Wing to have his number retired, after serving twenty years as Captain and playing his entire 23-year career in the city of Detroit; and,

Whereas, Yzerman’s retired jersey number will join Red Wing greats Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, Ted Lindsay, Terry Sawchuk, and Sid Abel high above in the Joe Louis arena rafters; and,

Whereas, Yzerman has been an important representative of the city of Detroit and the State of Michigan throughout his career, and is known as a model professional athlete, father, and husband; and,

Whereas, Yzerman has brought honor and acclaim to the city of Detroit and his fellow Michigan citizens throughout his illustrious career; including three separate visits to The White House to be honored by sitting Presidents after the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in 1997, 1998, and 2002; and,

Whereas, Throughout his career Yzerman played 1,514 games, scored an impressive 692 goals, tallied 1,063 assists, and is the Red Wings’ all-time leader in assists, and ranks second all-time in goals and points; and

Now therefore be it resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim January 13, 2007, as Steve Yzerman Day in Michigan. Congratulations to Steve on an exemplary career with the Detroit Red Wings. You have made Detroit and the State of Michigan proud.

Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm honored Steve Yzerman by calling today “Steve Yzerman Day.”

The state did not honour Yzerman on Jan. 2 because it was the national day of mourning for former President Gerald Ford, who was raised in Michigan.

Granholm honoured Yzerman ”on behalf of young people everywhere who could never come to Joe Louis Arena and to those watching on TV for being an unbelievable role model,” during a brief presentation before Detroit played the Chicago Blackhawks.

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On Jan. 2, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick dubbed the day ”Steve Yzerman Day” and presented Yzerman with a key to the city. Kilpatrick also said the intersection of Third and Atwater Streets, which meet at Joe Louis Arena, will be changed to ”Yzerman Drive.”