Ottawa Sun article
August 26, 1997
by Bruce Garrioch

The Russians brought the Stanley Cup to Moscow. Now, Steve Yzerman is bringing it to his home town. The Detroit Red Wings captain will put the coveted mug on display in the Steve Yzerman Arena at the Nepean Sportsplex next Thursday, Aug. 28 from 5-7 p.m. and will also be available to sign autographs. Yzerman, who played minor hockey in Nepean, realized the dream of winning his first Cup in June. His intentions were always to hold a celebration here and in Detroit, where he has signed a lifetime contract with the Wings.

Each player gets the Stanley Cup for two days during the summer after winning the championship. Yzerman wants people in Ottawa to get a glimpse. “This is something that Steve has been wanting to do. He just found out he’s going to have the Cup and it’s going to mean a lot to him to bring it to Nepean,” said Peter Chiarelli, one of Yzerman’s Ottawa-based representatives.

Nepean city council also will take the opportunity to formally re-name the arena at the Sportsplex after Yzerman. A ceremony was held prior to a Senators’ game in January but this will be an official ceremony.

Yzerman has agreed to sign autographs for an hour after the ceremony before he returns to Detroit with the Cup. The event is being held in conjunction with Nepean’s hockey camp, which Yzerman has coached at in the past. The program has yet to be finalized, but it’s unlikely the Cup will be available for individual photos because of time limitations and the fact a big crowd is expected. “This is going to be a special day for Nepean,” said spokesman Bill Levesque. “Steve phoned and said he could have the Cup here Aug. 28 and we said that’s the day we’ll do it.”

The Sporting News article
Jun 16, 1997
by Larry Wigge

With Steve Yzerman fulfilling his destiny as a Captain Courageous, the inspired Red Wings end Detroit’s 42-year Stanley Cup frustration with a sweeping gesture.

Oh say can you ‘C’: Yzerman, the captain of Detroit’s long overdue championship vessel, hoists the Stanley Cup as jubilant Red Wings teammates share in his triumphant moment.

An elderly man walks up to Steve Yzerman outside the Red Wings’ locker room. His body is slightly hunched and his face bears the scars of a long, successful playing career. But he still has that vice-like handshake, and the competitive fire that burned long ago still has a flickering ember. He hugs Yzerman, wishes him luck in the potential Stanley Cup clincher and whispers in his ear: “Remember your dream. Do it for that 9-year-old kid in you.”

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Calgary Sun article
June 6, 1997
by George Johnson

That damned ring.

That ostentatious victory parade.

That silly “I’m going to Disneyworld!” commercial spot.

They are what we all smugly believe is missing from Steve Yzerman’s career; what is leaving a dark, empty void in his life.

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CBS SportsLine
June 6, 1997
Ian Browne

He isn’t merely the captain. Steve Yzerman is Mr. Red Wing. You think Detroit Red Wings, Stevie Y is the man that comes to mind.

In this era of free agency and trade demands, Yzerman has poured his heart into the Motor City for 14 years, many of which have been so unrewarding. There’s been some tough times, but never a time Yzerman didn’t want to be a Detroit Red Wing.

And really, could you picture him anywhere else? It would be like baseball great Cal Ripken wearing something other than an Orioles uniform.

Yzerman, a man of few words, isn’t selfish, but he is human. Surely, there were days he thought, “Am I ever going to win a championship?”

Finally, he will get his wish.

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USA Today article
December 13, 1996
by Kevin Allen

Detroit Red Wings fans might not have truly appreciated Steve Yzerman until they saw his luggage at the door last year.

Fourteen months ago, the Red Wings pondered trading Yzerman to Ottawa, figuring Sergei Federov was their No. 1 center and a Yzerman deal could fetch a top, young defenseman. But an unanticipated twist developed.

As rumors of the deal surfaced, fans reacted with outrage. Calls to talk shows on radio station WDFN-AM ran 4-1 against trading Yzerman, even though his decade as Red Wings captain was marked by many postseason failures.

What everyone - from the team to media and fans, and even to Yzerman - realized for the first time was that Yzerman quietly had become a Detroit sports icon. Trade talks died, smothered by pro-Yzerman sentiment.

”In terms of popularity, he’s either first or second in Detroit,” says WDFN talk-show host Mike Stone. ”It’s Barry Sanders and him. I don’t even think Grant Hill is there yet.”

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USA Today article
September 11, 1996
by Kevin Allen

Canada’s hopes of winning the World Cup of Hockey almost went into the waste basket with Steve Yzerman’s team information packet last June.

After being cut from the Canada Cup roster in 1987 and 1991, Yzerman wasn’t sure he wanted to try again. But while on vacation, the Detroit Red Wings captain began to have a change of heart. “I wanted to be part of winning it,” he said. “I turned 31, and I want to experience all that I can before I retire.”

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