Steve Yzerman

Steve Yzerman a Detroit Red Wings legend. He was born in British Columbia and grew up in Nepean, Ontario. The Red Wings however were planning to fraft Pat LaFontaine before Yzerman, but the New York Islanders took him in the 3rd overall and the Wings took Yzerman 4th overall in the 1983 NHL draft. Jim Devellano was the general manager at the time when he took Yzerman.

In his rookie year Yzerman managed 39 goals and 87 points and came in second for the Calder Trophy. He also became the youngest player to join a All- Star team at the age of 18.

Yzerman was named captain of the Wings in 1986 by Jacques Demers, Yzerman was the youngest captain in team history. Next season Yzerman lead the Wings to their first division title in 23 years.

In 1993, Scotty Bowman took over as head coach and felt that Yzerman was not focusing enough on defense and was planning on trading him to the Ottawa Senators. However Yzerman worked hard to become a better defender and is now considered on of the best two-way forwards in the history of the NHL.

In 1995, Yzerman led the Wings in their first Stanley Cup Finals since 1966, however were swept by the New Jersey Devils. In 1997, the Wings finally won the cup defeating the Philadelphia Flyers, Yzerman won the Conn Smythe Trophy, and he also handed the Cup first to Vladimir Konstantinov, player who was severely injured in a car accident 6 days after winning the cup and ended up in a wheelchair.

On Jan. 2 2007 the Red Wings retired Yzerman's jersey number, 19, before a game against the Ducks. As an additional honor the captains "C" was added to the corner of his banner to forever commemorate him as "The Captain".

Yzerman is one of the most powerful figures in Red Wings history, and is considered a hero outside hockey as well. Also on January 2 2007, Yzerman was presented the key to the city of Detroit by Mayor Kwame Kipatrick at a luncheon prior to the jersey retirement ceremony. On January 13 Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm Jan visited Detroit and the Joe Louis Arena and proclaimed the day as "Steve Yzerman Day” in the state of Michigan.

Steve Yzerman is the heart and sole of the Red Wings and ranks among the greats in NHL history.

Awards and achievements

• NHL All-Star Roster - 1984, 1988 , 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2000
• NHL First Team All-Star, Center - 2000
• Lester B. Pearson Award - 1989
• Conn Smythe Trophy - 1998
• Frank J. Selke Trophy - 2000
• Stanley Cup Champion- 1997, 1998, 2002
• Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy - 2003
• Lester Patrick Trophy - 2006
• Sixth in NHL history in points, eighth in goals and seventh in assists
• First in Red Wings history in assists; second in points and goals; third in games played
• Number (19) retired with Detroit Red Wings - 2007
• Number (19) retired with Canadian Men's National Team - 2005
• Named Vice President of Detroit Red Wings - 2007
• Named General Manager of Team Canada - 2008
• Was Ranked #6 in The Hockey News The Top 60 Since 1967 - The Best Players of the Post Expansion Era
• Inducted into Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame - January 11, 2008
• Inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame February 11, 2008
• Inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame - 2008