Steve Yzerman will be honored tonight at Joe Louis Arena, for his accomplishments, his work ethic that blended perfectly with the city he calls his home and the city that adopted him; and finally for just being someone who likes getting the job done. It seemed the first time when Red Wings fans read about Steve Yzerman in 1983 and saw the draft day picture of him shaking hands with Mike Ilitch and Yzerman wearing a red tie that Detroit Red Wings fans knew that Steve Yzerman would restore Red Wings back to Detroit. And that the jeers and name of "dead wings" would be erased. Here is list of how flight was restored to the Red Wings.
In 1983 it was plain to see that Steve Yzerman would be a great player in the NHL and that he would one day have a chance to win with the Red Wings. The Red Wings were back in the playoffs. For the first time in over 10 years the Red Wings were playing with inspiration and the jeers ended. The relentless pursuit of taking the puck to the opposition and scoring against any goalkeeper kept Steve Yzerman and the team on the road of winning and the team found itself in the NHL elites once again. Number 19 had restored pride, excitement for the fans and the goals accumulated for Steve Yzerman one of them was to win the Stanley Cup. There was one goal that he did not count on in Detroit.
In 1986 at the age of 21 he was named Captain of the team. He was the youngest player in NHL history to be given the honor and responsibility of wearing the "C". He wore it for 22 years and along the way made more history, his 22 years as captain is the longest that anyone wore the "C" with one team. His nickname in Detroit, is 'the Captain", fans respect the player who gave his all every night and played through every injury known to NHL physicians earned him that honor. He has said that Detroit Red Wings fans have a passion and beyond that a commitment to winning and that he has that as well because the fans and the organization want to win. Steve Yzerman is a proud citizen of Detroit, Michigan. And we are proud fans of the Captain.
Steve Yzerman battled through the early 90's and when Scotty Bowman was hired lived through the trade rumors and became a two way forward. He put aside personal success and when the sacrifice was made the Red Wings went on to win back-to-back Stanley Cups, in 1996-97 and 97-98. Then in 2002 he would go on to raise the Cup one more time. Steve Yzerman has proven that he can play the game at the highest level and that being rewarded for loyalty is one of the most glorious things in life and sport.
Since the celebration starts officially tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Joe Louis Arena before the game against the Anaheim Ducks, Steve Yzerman is starting his new career in the front office of the Red Wings, he calls the Detroit Red Wings, "the organization". Tonight the organization, fans and friends will probably cheer him for over five minutes and salute the Captain for over an hour. All he has to do is watch and enjoy. And cheer on the team that has the name Red Wings back since the erasing of a name that took place 24 years ago. Tonight the number 19 will be sixth in Red Wings history to go to the rafters, after that, next stop the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Other awards for the Captain include, Selke trophy, Conn Smythe trophy, and the Masterson trophy; which is awarded by the NHL to player who perseveres. Other highlights of Steve Yzerman's amazing NHL career are found at the hockey hall of fame website.
Was that not one of the classiest ceremonies you've ever seen? And as always...Steve tried to deflect his accomplishments and give credit to others. We are lucky to have had Steve on our team.
Steve is the class act that I thought he would be! Never a doubt that he would be any less then he was! The only thing he hates talking about the most is himself and he tried to say that he is what he is because of everyone else but the fans and everyone else knows better! He is Steve Yzermen because he is the best! No other way to describe him be a true class act all the way and a great hockey player!
Thanks for reading NoOneWingsFan. The one thing people are mentioning on this blog and others the one word to describe Steve is, "class". Steve played the sport and lives life in class; meaning an exemplary model that we all can emulate and do not be egotistical and bragging while doing it. That is true style.
Schwartz- thank you for reading and sharing comment. The one thing about the ceremony I noticed was that the ceremony was long in length to accomodate any ovation from the fans. That is something that Steve probably wanted.
The one thing I liked was the fact that Terry Sawchuk was represented, his grandson Jonathan was there.
Steve Yzerman's family; wife and daughters were great about everything. Everyone was class.
Schwartz- I half agree with you as an person outside of Detroit you would have better perspective about that.
However there were no complaints about the length in the Joe and the people I have talked with that were at bars watching it did not want it to end. THat has a lot to say how much people in the city likes it sports and the people who play the game and have fun doing at level beyond what we could ever comprehend. That means at high level of performance and production.
Steve is that type of player and person. But I agree with you one hour would have been long enough. If people wanted to watch more they could have bought the DVD that had the speeches and interviews, the Chris Berman mouth dropping highlights, I do like the fact though that Steve YZerman was given his time and the fans loved every 90 minutes of it.
Cheers to that. Always nice chatting with you, and it's nice to be back n' somewhat active. Small fav on my latest blog. Just want your perspective because I think highly of your opinion.
Hey always nice chatting with you. I am glad that you are back with the NHL perspective from Canada where the sport is passion.
I will check out the blog.
I think that Michigan should have been in Canada we love hockey here.
The game of hockey is intense, it is a game that is not about finesse all the time. It is about second chances and detmerination and the fight to win welcome back DMAC #25!
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