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.

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     Toronto, Canada- children play hockey outside.  Hot chocolate is served and the parents of the kids talk about happenings and community events.  Adults play outside games on club teams.  The Toronto Maple Leafs playing outside is a real fun idea, there is a real chance that most NHL teams will eventually consider the idea of an outside game during the regular season.

     The proposed venue is a new outside soccer field near Toronto.  It would be scheduled for January 8, 2008.  It would be part of the season schedule and the seating capacity is 20,000.  I would really like to go to this game.  The air is cold, ears are red or covered with a hat with the team logo.  There is a steam and fog hovering over the ice and the cheers of fans can be heard outside the stadium.  It is not capturing the atmosphere of true fun it is also bringing the history of the sport to the minds of fans who have never had the pleasure of attending outside hockey game. 

     The Maple Leafs have not given written approval yet but they expect to announce support of this outside game soon.  When it happens the Leafs should expect fans to be excited about the game.  Excitement can be seen hanging in the cold over the ice and heads of fans in Toronto, Canada.

 Detroit, Michigan- is a place of hard working people that can work through the roughest and best of times.  In  Detroit sports there are athletes that reach a status of being a fan favorite because of their determination that is part of their character; it is so reminiscent of the life that is part of the reputation of Detroit.  Everyone knows about Detroit's current economic downs.  The upside is not that far away.  And Detroit people do not give up.  Does that sound like America? I would say yes.  The city of Detroit has captured Steve Yzerman's mind.  Now Dan Cleary has found a home in Detroit and these two man and city are twins in some respects.

     Dan Cleary was picked by the Chicago Blackhawks and bumped around in Edmonton playing for the Oilers.  For that team he scored 13 goals and played hard and still did not get a chance for a job and long term consideration for his career.  Then a chance to work  in Traverse City with the Red Wings during training camp.  Seizing the opportunity Dan Cleary put on the winged wheel which would come to symbolize his career taking off with this team that likes to work hard and gritty for the wins.  And this city no wonder is the home of Dan Cleary.  As he earned the respect of the players he reached his regular roster spot through hard work and successfully getting the job done right.  Right now he is a regular on the Penalty Kill unit and is on the same line with Robert Lang and Jason Williams.  He has also earned himself the reputation of being looked at as a leader by his fellow Red Wings.  His determination and goal setting accomplishments are complimentary of Detroit.

   Tonight, Dan Cleary set a new career high in goals scored with a short handed score where he took a clearing pass from Manny Fernandez; able to be done because he pursued the puck with his skating to where the puck would be played, and then he went to one knee much in the same way that Brett Hull did and put the puck past the Wild goalie for his 14th goal this season and the most he has ever scored in his career.  He also an contract extension.  Twins, Dan Cleary needed a chance to get his career going and Detroit will get going again.  Dan Cleary is a gift for the Red Wings because he is the player that exemplifies every good characterisitic about the city, which loves to work and has fun doing it.  Nothing glittery about Detroit except the finished products of hard days work.  The same thing can be seen in the play and character of Dan Cleary, the twin of the city he calls home, Detroit, Michigan. 

The rumors are either empty or valid and the players fans would like to see in their team jersey is realistic or not.  So here is one rumor that has some validity to it.  The Red Wings are going to find a scoring winger.  I have not heard to much about the big names either for salary cap reasons and the fact the Red Wings do not need tinker with the lines much.  Excpet for the concern that the power play is not potent and everyone knows where the Wings used to make teams pay on the power play.

The Red Wings do not a big name to become potent on the power play.  They have Lidstrom, Datsyuk, and Zetterberg.  The Red Wings will locate someone who will move the puck and score on the powerplay.  Who it could be is a mystery I do know that Holland intends to do more this year in the way of acquisition before the All-Star break or at deadline day.

I will  not throw names aimlessly in this post I will mention that the Wings will address the issues of a scoring winger and the power play potential for getting better if the above mentioned names on the Wings special team unit already improve then maybe the Wings will not address the power play immediately.   History points however to Ken Holland making the move when the right player is available for the team.  He is not content to sit idly in his office during the business day and in the box during game time and not take notes and attention to his team and the opponent the Wings are playing.  One possible player making it Detroit in a matter of months is Glen Murray or someone like him in talent and leadership.  Who is waiting for that chance to have his name on the Cup.  There is still plenty of hockey to be played and issues to address for every team in the NHL.  As we wait for the exciting happenings of deadline day in the NHL do not forget to enjoy the game with friends.

NASCAR and Hockey are similar for the obvious reason of an oval shaped track and

rink. The athletes of each sport are skilled enough to stay on four wheels and two feet.

Each are played in a rough and tough setting. Both use point systems to determine the

winner of advancing to the championships.

The similarities do not end there but I will not list the rest. The obvious reason why

they are not similar is the Stanley Cup and the ice versus asphalt. My goal here is not

to turn people off to hockey but maybe and hopefully interest them to watch and learn.

After all it is not how much you know but how much your willingness to learn from

each other is what makes sports a learning experience. My blog has been called the best

NHL fan blog in the community. I do know that I put emphasis on being the best fan

of the Red Wings. I would challenge anyone to take the time in the community and read

other hockey blogs and NSACAR blogs then think if they have an imagination how each

sport is somehow related in one way besides the passionate fans that attend each event.