Follow Max on Twitter @m_bultman, Steve Yzerman raises the Stanley Cup in 1997. He is known for The Joe: The Detroit Red Wings & Joe Louis Arena (2018), Salt Lake City 2002: XIX Olympic Winter Games (2002) and Gold Rush 2002 (2002). "There was a time he was on, and a time he was off. He has some versatility to him as well. Steve was quoted as saying My first game in Detroit was in October 1983 against the New Jersey Devils and it was a thrill for me just to step on the ice. Not necessarily aiming to be an All Star or being voted into the Hall of Fame, Yzerman was just happy to be playing the sport he loved at the highest level possible. Build Systems. "I used to live and breathe hockey all the time," Yzerman says. NHL99: Steve Yzerman brought the 'rebirth of hockey' to Detroit. Instead of making the playoffs, the Lightning was a punch line. When he spoke, we all listened, because he didnt speak that often.. In league-wide voting, they elected the 34-year-old Yzerman as the starting centre on the North American squad that will play a similarly elected team of European NHLers at this week's All-Star Game in Toronto. ago] Height 5.11 -- Weight 185 [180 cm/84 kg] Drafted by Detroit Red Wings - round 1 #4 overall 1983 NHL Entry Draft Regular Season The rest was history.". The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. "He leads," Bowman says, "by the way he plays. Photos: Lightning fall 4-1 on home to Panthers. It was Jan. 24, 1994 Drapers first day with the Red Wings after getting called up from AHL Adirondack and one of his favorite childhood players was walking toward him in the dressing room. He's got a great attitude. The one word that comes to mind about Steve was responsible: whether we needed a tying or winning goal, or an important faceoff, or a shot to be blocked on a penalty kill, or any kind of a big play, he was generally responsible for it no player I ever coached could play with a pain threshold like Steve Yzerman Scotty Bowman, 6. He was doubted, nearly traded. Our team will be reviewing your submission and get back to you with any further questions. Yzerman jets back and forth as often as he can, squeezing in trips to Michigan to reconnect with his family. But on the ice, when they were competitors, he got a taste of just how that determination manifested itself. "A lot of guys, 14 years into it, they're on the way down. Not this year." | Brad Galli has more Recommended Stories SheKnows Prince William's. The following year, he again won the Stanley Cup as captain of the Red Wings, and received the Conn Smythe Trophy as his team's most valuable player in the playoffs; he also played with Team Canada at the Olympic Winter Games in Nagano that year. The greatest compliment comes from crusty Detroit legend Ted Lindsay, now 74, who stopped by the Wings' locker room last week. 4 pick, they found it in Yzerman. Bowman received a standing ovation while almost shaking his head in frustration at the altruism from the podium. "Is it fun? Pat Verbeek was one of Yzermans contemporaries in the NHL. But it suited him. Signing up enhances your TCE experience with the ability to save items to your personal reading list, and access the interactive map. And I think (its) because of his work ethic, and all those intangibles that he had as a player, hes taken to the front office. Competitiveness, as an athlete, that's the way we all were. Steve Yzerman weighed 185 lbs (83 kg) when playing. Steve had the right to overturn, but throughout the whole process, he had never done that before, so he wasn't going to do it then.". Hockey fans aren't fooled. And beyond the physical conflict inherent to hockey, the defensive side of the puck tends to be a natural outlet for that quality. ". We present them here for purely educational purposes. In both 2007 and 2008 he managed Team Canada at the IHHF World Hockey Championships, where the Canadians won gold and silver, respectively. How old is Steve Yzerman? "I wouldn't characterize him as shy, at least not to the people who know him," Shanahan says. Over lunch in the players' lounge at Joe Louis Arena last week, Yzerman deflected the accolades. They tell of a man who, though comparatively slight by modern National Hockey League standards (five-11, 185 lb. Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman and Hurricanes wing Jeff O'Neill are among the other players who summer on Lake Joe. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. 6 overall draft pick. The force of the blast broke his nose and some other small bones, but as he was being wheeled to an ambulance headed for hospital, he called over to the Red Wings' equipment manager and said: "I think I'll need a visor on my helmet if I'm going to play in Tampa.". Everybody knows that Chris Ilitch is the worst owner in sports and, to be honest, he is a complete tool. Stephen Anthony Bernard Jones, 49. "I have always wanted to be a general manager," he says. Stephen "Steve" Gregory Yzerman, hockey player, general manager (born 9 May 1965 in Cranbrook, BC). ", Brendan Shanahan, Yzerman's rugged left-winger and close friend, says the centreman prefers private life to the limelight. Renovated designer cottage in the most desirable location in Culver City near Sony Studios. 1 its the 99 spots behind No. By. Along with being among the top 10 scorers going into last weekend's games, Yzerman recently overtook Bobby Hull and Mario Lemieux in career goals and now sits seventh all-time. Great leadership and tough as nails.". - Advertisement -. "For our younger players, if they come in at training camp and do well and they earn a spot, that's great," Yzerman said. All Rights Reserved. It's challenging, but it's a lot of fun.". Kurtis Pykes. "I hope we're better," he said. Career Stats "He just likes to go about his business and be left alone." According to a source of Detroit Sports Nation, Steve Yzerman has made the stunning decision to step down as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'detroitsportsnation_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_23',695,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-detroitsportsnation_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Yzerman explained that due to a recent decision by Red Wings owner Chris Ilitch to terminate long-time Red Wings Zamboni driver Al Sobotka, he just could not move forward in his role with the organization. Watching these players develop, you start watching them at 16-17, they start coming into the organization at 18-20. Jan 20, 2023. Frequently Asked Questions about the NHL and Hockey, Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREE. The organization needed a spark, and with the No. He had an issue with his elbow that he had to take get taken care of. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. While the Red Wings re-signed a couple veterans who provide leadership and versatility, Detroit's roster is comprised of several talented young players looking to make their mark in the NHL. He has also written for the Sporting News, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. They tell of a man who, though comparatively slight by modern National Hockey League standards (five-11, 185 lb. Yzerman's #19 jersey was retired on January 2, 2007, during a pre-game ceremony at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Steve was more on having him (on the team) than off. He's comfortable in the role he has. W ITH: Do you have a blog? Enter Search Term. "I think it was masterful," former Lightning GM Jay Feaster said of the deal. But we're starting to build something and, hopefully, we can get there and win, and just keep doing it over and over and over. Hockey-Reference utilizes Official NHL data for current NHL seasons. He started his office career with the Red Wings, but when there was no sign of supplanting long-time GM Ken Holland, Yzerman moved on to join the Tampa Bay Lightning as General Manager. "He is an offensive-minded, playmaking centerman, which was a real need for our team. Steve Yzerman, who has served as the general manager (GM) for both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings, has made these transactions possible - affecting the futures of both teams . Then watch: he'll turtle. Well send you news, analysis and commentary on the Bolts weekly during the season. Hes a grinder. Stevie was a guy that wasn't 6-foot-6, but had the heart the size of the rink. (2013). " Devellano said. You can ZOOM and also change the views by clicking on N, E, S or W. Photos of Steve Yzerman's . Still, from the people who lived those years alongside Yzerman, the popular lore has truth to it as well not in that he necessarily needed to learn to become a so-called defensive player, but in realizing just how significant total defensive commitment was to winning a championship. But it may also obscure parts of Yzermans early days. 1 draft pick, has been compared to a young Steve Yzerman. "To be honest, I was so mad I lost my composure," he says sheepishly. Canadas Sports Hall of Fame (2008) Complete record of every goal scored or assisted by the player. "But it's exciting to me.". But those who had a front-row seat for Yzerman's journey said he was a shy superstar who experienced his share of scars. I think he's got good hockey sense. "They were the 'Dead Wings.' If we didnt win a Stanley Cup, that was ultimate failure for the 02 team.. But in playing against Steve all those early years, Steve was always competitive defensively. Directions. TAMPA He often sits alone in a press box booth, his intense glare pouring through his brown eyes. But the Lightning, which hasn't won a playoff game since 2011, is still in the "relatively early" stage of his plan. "If you wanted to program the ideal child, hockey player, citizen, he's the guy you'd copy," says Lindsay. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Try a week on us. At 16, Steve Yzerman joined the Ontario Hockey League's Peterborough Petes, where scouts for the Detroit Red Wings soon took notice. I want him to play well. In the six years that followed, Yzerman consistently maintained an average of over 100 points per season and, for most of those seasons, scored over 50 goals per year. Yzerman's stare doesn't drift too far into the future. Continue with Recommended Cookies. "I think he's versatile. Contact Joe Smith at joesmith@tampabay.com. Steve Yzerman | NHL Free Agency 27:31 July 29th, 2021 The first two new free agents the Red Wings signed on Wednesday were defenseman and Michigan native Jordan Oesterle and Swiss center Pius. What about Yzerman? https://www.facebook.com/detroitsportsnation, https://www.instagram.com/realdetroitsportsnation/, https://www.youtube.com/c/Detroitsportsnation?sub_confirmation=1, https://www.tiktok.com/@realdetroitsportsnation, NFL Networks Daniel Jeremiah suggests bold trade proposal for Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers release starting lineup for matchup vs. New York Yankees, Steve Yzerman says Detroit Red Wings still have work to do, Detroit Lions named as logical landing spot for Anthony Richardson, Byron Murphy named as fit for Detroit Lions, Ugly incident takes place after Detroit Mercy vs. Youngstown State game, Steve Yzerman Refuses to Go into Details About Gift Wrapping Jakub Vrana, Red Wings sign winger Alex Chiasson to one-way contract, Detroit Red Wings Trade Oskar Sundqvist to Minnsota. Ask him about being here 27 years, as he was in Detroit, and Yzerman laughs. Weather you loved the Detroit Red Wings . He did not go to Florida - doctors made sure of that. 1. Connor Bedard, the projected 2023 No. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. Steve was a conscientious hockey player, always, from Day 1.. We got a little bit of a view of him at the end of the season here in Detroit. He further heaped praise on the long-term owners of the team, the Ilitch family, the 8 NHL coaches he played under during his career, and the incredible players brought in for him to play with. It kind of settled the whole team down with that speech., Even though Yzerman had returned to the lineup for the playoffs, Draper said The whole playoff run, he didnt have one practice.. Yzerman wrote into his Red Wings contract that he'd have a position in management after he retired in 2006. His high school sweetheart and wife of 25 years, Lisa, and three daughters, Isabella, 21, Maria, 16, and Sophie, 15, are 1,000 miles away in Michigan, where locals say he can walk on water. After the 2004-05 lockout Yzerman began to entertain thoughts of retirement, making it official in July 2006. Josh Berenter, acquiring 24-year-old center Mitchell Stephens. Yzerman said he'd prefer not having to face Detroit in this first-round NHL series that begins tonight at Amalie Arena. The guy just wouldn't say, 'No.' Yzerman called a team meeting and, essentially, reminded the team how good they were and to relax and stay the course. And I remember looking at him going, 'Wow, that's a guy that wants to be a winner.' He's not that tough. Yzerman inherited a mess with the Lightning in the summer of 2010. The stoic exterior masks a competitive fire raging inside of him. Steve Yzerman, you helped build Hockeytown. He did that here in Detroit. Max Bultman. Includes Address (16) Phone (2) Email (2) See Results. Follow @TBTimes_JSmith. Over a career that spans 22 seasons (with at least 1 NHL GP), he has a total 1755 Pts in 1514 GP, and 185 playoffs Pts in 196 GP. "Stevie is the role model for young players," says Calgary coach Brian Sutter. It'd be a real challenge to put a team together yourself." The Official Site of the Detroit Red Wings. In some ways, it was rather practical: In 1986, he was named the youngest captain in franchise history at age 21. "All of a sudden, people are walking by and you can hear whispers, and they run around and come back with their cameraphones," Cooper said. Some hockey portraits on this site are licensed from Images on Ice, Hockeys Photo Agency. Draper can still see that huge smile from Yzerman, who had lifted a mountain off his shoulders. Officially announced his retirement, July 3, 2006. When he was named Detroit's first pick in the 1983 draft of junior players, Yzerman was saddled with the pressure of leading a then-dreadful team back to glory. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Yzerman explained that due to a recent decision by Red Wings owner Chris Ilitch to terminate long-time Red Wings Zamboni driver Al Sobotka, he just could not move forward in . Offensively, he does have that versatility that he can play on the power play, a lot of different spots on it. Of course, there are times to celebrate, often in unbridled fashion. Steve Yzerman was born in Cranbrook, Canada. Hes intense when it comes to making decisions. "We think he has a real bright future. A video showing why Steve Yzerman was the most respected player in the NHL.An inspiration to me and all hockey fans. Draper had been a teenager through the early days of Yzermans Red Wings career, watching from afar as he chased Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux in scoring races in the late 1980s. Yzerman spends most off-hours with his wife, Lisa, and three young daughters in the Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills, and summers at a cottage in central Ontario's Muskoka region. He became a star in the league at an early age.. Thanks for contributing to The Canadian Encyclopedia. "Stevie fell to us," Devellano said. Every Monday through Saturday until February well unveil new members of the list.
