A reporter is saying that yes, Canada needs Stevie Y.

The recently retired Detroit Red Wings superstar is in his second season as vice-president of hockey operations, helping GM Ken Holland and his staff evaluate pro and amateur talent.

The expectation is that Yzerman will be the Red Wings’ GM down the road. To hear him speak, or watch him work, there is nothing casual about his involvement with the organization. Nothing like the typical ex-jock dabbling in some front-office work. Yzerman is pouring himself into his new occupation with the same sort of zeal that marked his brilliant 22-year playing career.

To Yzerman’s advantage, he still has a fresh appreciation of what’s required to win Olympic gold from his own heroic effort of essentially playing on one leg in the 2002 Games. As a guy who only retired in 2006, Yzerman retains an association with many of today’s players, veterans and young rising stars.

During his playing career, Yzerman was always there when his country came calling, be it World Cup, world championship, Olympics, whatever.

Now that he has traded in his No. 19 sweater for a suit, his country is still calling on Stevie Y. For good reason.