On Saturday, Steve Yzerman picked up the phone and called Steve Johnston, the Wings’ sixth round draft pick (181st overall), to tell him the good news.

At his home in Guelph, Johnston — a lifelong Red Wing fan — was floored to pick up the phone Saturday and hear Detroit great Steve Yzerman on the other end.

“It was pretty cool,” said the lanky centre. “He said he was Steve Yzerman and I wasn’t sure it was real. Detroit was my favourite team growing up. I really had no expectations for any team. But after he called, I couldn’t sit still for the rest of the day.”