Steve Yzerman announced the Detroit Red Wings’ first round pick (#27 overall) in his new role as vice president. As the entourage of Wings’ management walked up to the stage, the Columbus crowd first booed and then started to chant “Red Wings Suck.” Once they realized Yzerman was making the announcement, the crowd applauded. I know some newspapers have reported that the crowd booed Yzerman, but that’s not true. They definitely booed the Red Wings, but applauded Yzerman when he stepped up to the podium to announce the pick.
Source: Getty Images
Kyle Turris, one of the top prospects for the upcoming 2007 NHL Draft, hopes to meet Steve Yzerman in Columbus. Turris grew up following Yzerman’s career and was inspired by his great play.
When Kyle Turris makes his way from the Nationwide Arena stands tonight to greet the general manager who selects him at the National Hockey League entry draft in Columbus, he may take a circuitous route to the stage in order to pass the Detroit Red Wings’ table.
The reason for his walkabout would be to meet his idol, Steve Yzerman, the retired superstar who is now a hockey executive.
“I have grown up watching him play and have watched all those Don Cherry videos,” said Turris, who would go with his parents to see Yzerman perform when the Wings visited Vancouver to play the Canucks. “[Yzerman] is the ultimate all-around player and warrior. He battled through everything.
“I really wish I could meet him. It would be a dream come true.”
That dream likely will be realized. In town to represent the Wings, who will draft 27th in the first round and have no shot at Turris because he will be among the first three selections, Yzerman would like to meet Turris, also.
“I look forward to meeting Kyle this weekend,” Yzerman said Wednesday. “I haven’t seen him play, but have heard nothing but good things about him.”
Source: General Motors
Detroit Red Wings owners have given Steve Yzerman a brand new 2007 Chevrolet Suburban at the General Motors’ World Headquarters in Detroit. He received his belated retirement gift yesterday, which was also the same day he was named to the Class of 2007 for the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
Steve Yzerman will be inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame next year with 10 other athletes.
Other inductees were Olympic kayaker Greg Barton, announcer Frank Beckmann, Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard, Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos, former Michigan basketball star Glen Rice, Olympic swimmer Clark Scholes, former Pistons player and coach Ray Scott, Negro League star Turkey Stearns, St. Cecilia’s Sam Washington and former Wing Norm Ullman. …
“I’m very proud to be a resident of the state of Michigan,” Yzerman said. “For whatever reason, Michigan continues to produce tremendous athletes. This is a pretty exclusive group and I’m proud to be a part of it.” …
Devellano revealed Tuesday the Red Wings organization had plans 10 years ago to give Yzerman a management role upon retirement.
“We never dreamed he would play 22 years — we thought probably 17 or 18,” Devellano said. “But he extended his career because he was such a competitor.”
In Yzerman’s first year in the front office, he’s been busy learning the tricks of the trade, from scouting to contract negotiations.
Getting the opportunity to learn about the business side of professional sports has been extremely rewarding, Yzerman said.
“I’ve enjoyed my role with the Red Wings, which is basically watching and observing,” Yzerman said. “I’m learning the inner workings, the behind-the-scenes work, and it’s very educational. All in all, it’s been a fantastic year and I think the Red Wings are in a great position for more success in the future.”
The Wings’ vice president Jimmy Devellano went with Yzerman to the Detroit Athletic Club where it was announced No. 19 would be in the MI Sports Hall of Fame’s 2007 class.
Yzerman was the last of 11 people announced for induction. The date for the dinner has not yet been determined, but it is slated for after the Super Bowl but before the start of spring training.
Yzerman thought it was fitting to be a part of the 2007 class, since Devellano was inducted last year.
“I followed him into Detroit a year later,” said Yzerman, now a vice president with the Wings. “He came in ’82, I came in ’83. … To follow him in feels somewhat appropriate. He brought me to Detroit and looked after me when I was a young kid here. Kept a close eye on me and he’s always been a huge supporter of mine.”
Congrats to No. 19!
After finding the 2007 NHL Draft media guide online, I skimmed through the 224 page guide to see what was in there. I saw most prospects listed an important hockey figure in their life. I decided to search the PDF for “Yzerman” and 29 results popped up. Two of the results were in regards to when Yzerman was drafted in 1983 so I have excluded those results. The other 27 were from prospects. There were less than 27 prospects who named Yzerman as some prospects used Yzerman in multiple answers. For example, Kyle Turris, Ranked #1, named Yzerman as his favorite player.
Here’s what they said…
AKIM ALIU (OHL, Forward, North American Skater, Ranked #41)
If he could have dinner with any three people he would choose hockey greats Bobby Orr, Steve Yzerman and Gordie Howe.
BRYAN CAMERON (OHL, Forward, North American Skater, Ranked #43)
If he could take any three people to dinner he would invite: former Detroit Red Wing Steve Yzerman – “to find out what kind of mindset you need to be a leader”, Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Andrew Raycroft – “to learn how to score more goals” and actor Will Ferrell – “to get everyone laughing”
