Yzerman's No. 19 retired
CBC Sports | Posted: January 3, 2007 1:56 AM | Last Updated: January 3, 2007
The Detroit Red Wings retired Steve Yzerman’s jersey Tuesday night in Detroit.
Yzerman, who retired in July after 23 seasons in the NHL, was given a lengthy standing ovation during the ceremony at Joe Louis Arena.
In an emotional address, he thanked Red Wings management, coaches and players.
"I feel my image as a great leader is greatly overblown. I realize that because I played with some of the best hockey players who will ever play in the league," he said.
Yzerman also acknowledged his fans.
"I don’t know how I can thank you," he said, fighting back tears. "As I said earlier, the first time I stepped on the ice, I was in awe of the building and the atmosphere. I felt that throughout my entire career. It’s inspirational.
Yzerman, who spent his entire career in Detroit, was a critical part of the team’s transformation from an also-ran to Stanley Cup champion.
The Red Wings ended a 42-year championship drought with back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1997 and 1998. The team won the Cup again in 2002.
Yzerman's1,063 assists are the most in franchise history and his 692 goals and 1,755 points are second behind only Gordie Howe.
Yzerman made 20 post-season appearances and he ranks eighth all-time in the NHL with 185 playoff points.
Also, Yzerman was the longest-serving captain in NHL history. He wore the "C" from 1986 until his retirement.
"Being team captain wasn’t just a responsibility, it ran thourgh his veins," Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch said during the hour-long ceremony. "He never took a night off. Never. His commitment to the team is as good as it gets.
"He’s the kind of person we would all like to be, the kind of person we would all like our children to be.
Yzerman also competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Just two weeks removed from knee surgery, he proved to be one of Canada's top players at the 10-day tournament.
"He came in here hurt and then played like there was no tomorrow," said Canadian assistant coach Jacques Martin. "You wouldn't have known he was hurt if you looked at him on the ice. The guy was outstanding."
Some ofYzerman's former teammates — Brett Hull, Igor Larionov and Mike Vernon — were at Tuesday's ceremony along with former coaches Scotty Bowman, Dave Lewis and Barry Smith.
After the ceremony, the Red Wings squared off against the Anaheim Ducks, the NHL's top team with a 28-7-6 record this season.