ESPN Magazine article
June 14, 2002
by Eric Adelson

Three months ago, his trainer wondered if he was fit to skate. Two months ago, he was instructed not to jump. And by this month, the man had trouble walking.

Yet there was Steve Yzerman on Thursday night, assisting on the goal that cemented his third Stanley Cup, and then leaping into the arms of Brendan Shanahan like a catcher tackling a pitcher after a no-hitter.

Twenty-three games. Twenty-three shots of painkillers. Twenty-three points. The pinnacle of Steve Yzerman’s performance has come with the peak of his pain.

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NHL.com article
June 14, 2002
by Shawn P. Roarke

The Stanley Cup is not won without heart and it’s hard to imagine any player with as much heart as Steve Yzerman.

So, it was only fitting that the 37-year-old Yzerman was the first Detroit player to touch the Stanley Cup after Thursday’s Game 5 victory against Carolina that decided the series.

As Detroit’s captain, history demanded that he accept the Cup. This postseason, however, common sense could have just as easily been the determining factor in Yzerman’s honor.

There is no arguing that Yzerman has been the shining star on a team full of all-stars; legends brought together with Thursday night’s championship ceremony in mind.

Despite the laundry list of greats — goalie Dominik Hasek, defensemen Chris Chelios and Nicklas Lidstrom, forwards Brendan Shanahan, Brett Hull, Igor Larionov and Sergei Fedorov — there is no denying this Detroit squad is Yzerman’s team.

And, Yzerman was quick to share his moment with the Stanley Cup. Handed the trophy by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Yzerman almost immediately handed the chalice to Scotty Bowman, who announced his retirement right after the game.

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Canadian Press article
April 2002
by Ron Sudlow

Even the Vancouver Canucks can’t help but admire the inspiring play of Steve Yzerman.

While hampered by a sore right knee that’s encased in a brace, Yzerman has scored two power-play goals and set up three other scores to lead the Detroit Red Wings in their Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vancouver Canucks. That put the 37-year-old veteran at the top of NHL playoff scoring leaders going into Monday night’s games.

While Detroit trails the series 2-1, if the Wings need any inspiration to even the best-of-seven series in Tuesday night’s Game 4, they only have to look to their captain.

The Canucks are also impressed by Yzerman after arthroscopic surgery on the knee allowed him to return just before the Olympics but didn’t stop the pain.

“We all respect the way he plays the game and to play on one leg is very impressive,” said Vancouver captain Markus Naslund who wants to follow that example.

“I’ve got to pick my game up and I’m the first one to admit that. I’m not pleased with the way I’ve played the first three games and it’s time to turn it up.

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Associated Press article
February 7, 2002

Steve Yzerman plans to return to the Detroit Red Wings’ lineup next week and represent Canada in the Olympics after recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

The Red Wings captain said Thursday he expects to play Monday at Montreal and Wednesday at Minnesota. Then he’ll play in Canada’s first game in the Salt Lake City Olympics, against Sweden on Feb. 15.
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The 36-year-old center has missed four games and will miss games on Friday and Saturday while recovering from surgery.

Yzerman skated for 20 minutes Thursday, his first time on the ice since injuring the knee Jan. 26 against St. Louis.

“It felt fine, but the doctor didn’t want me practicing before tomorrow,” Yzerman said. “I just went cruising for a little. I plan on skating each day through the weekend with the goal of playing in Montreal.”

Yzerman said he could have continued playing, but he believed his game would have suffered.

“What it came down to was my knee was starting to bother me more and more,” he said. “I knew something in there wasn’t right. I knew something in there was bothering me, hurting.”

Yzerman has 13 goals and 33 assists this season.