[Lefty Noob]

Say it ain't so - Stevie Y might call it a career after this year?

From the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "The Wild-Red Wings matinee at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Xcel Energy Center could be the last time Detroit's Steve Yzerman plays in Minnesota. Speculation is that Yzerman, the Red Wings' captain for 20 years, will retire at the end of the season, his 23rd in the NHL."

I guess he's not the player he used to be, and he has been playing for more than two decades. But the Wings just won't be the same without him. Any thoughts about Yzerman, his career, or his possible replacement as team captain?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Say it ain't so - Stevie Y might call it a career after this year?

From the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "The Wild-Red Wings matinee at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Xcel Energy Center could be the last time Detroit's Steve Yzerman plays in Minnesota. Speculation is that Yzerman, the Red Wings' captain for 20 years, will retire at the end of the season, his 23rd in the NHL."

I guess he's not the player he used to be, and he has been playing for more than two decades. But the Wings just won't be the same without him. Any thoughts about Yzerman, his career, or his possible replacement as team captain?

Its always nice this day and age to watch a player go 20 plus years with the same team...in this age of free agency and big dollar, Stevie Y is a throw back...

[blueandwhite]

He's Mister Class too. I love him.
new captain? I'm looking at the team list now, trying o decide, because Shanahan is old, and Lidstrom too, Chelios is my grandfather's age.
Draper? Lang?

[Lefty Noob]

Lidstrom was my thinking, but I believe he's actually a free agent at the end of the season. So maybe it will be Draper, Lang or someone along those lines. Whoever it is, they've got some awful big skates to fill.

[blueandwhite]

Yeah. Stevie's had alot of injuries these past few years - think it's time. he ended great.

[rmjvol]

What's the latest on Steve Yzerman's retirement? Can anybody fill me in?

[blueandwhite]

He's gone. 22 seasons with the red wings, 41 years old, 3 cups and a gold medal and detroit captain for 20 years.
he's one of the best.

[Peterborough]

My first day of high school one of those monster sized greeting cards was passed around for everyone to sign. The card read something like "Congratulations Steve and good luck in Detroit". Having finished school the year before I started I didn't quite cross paths with Steve Yzerman, but I still remember what his his autographed picture looked like hanging in our meagre "hall of fame". And now he's retiring. Man I feel old.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Peterborough

My first day of high school one of those monster sized greeting cards was passed around for everyone to sign. The card read something like "Congratulations Steve and good luck in Detroit". Having finished school the year before I started I didn't quite cross paths with Steve Yzerman, but I still remember what his his autographed picture looked like hanging in our meagre "hall of fame". And now he's retiring. Man I feel old.

Yes, but you have a story to tell...you shared a school with a legend...the best my school did was Softball Gold Medalist Dot Richardson...and over wieght actress Delta Burke...

[rmjvol]

Great story, Peterborough.

Anyone else want to share their favorite Yzerman story? I started a new thread for Yzerman Stories. To read these stories or to share your Yzerman story with us:

> > click here < <

Or can you tell us more about his decision to retire, or plans for retirement? What do you think the future hold for Yzerman? or for the Red Wings without him?

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Thanks, Ross

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Yzerman looks forward to management role


Tuesday, July 04, 2006 By Ansar Khan



DETROIT -- Steve Yzerman has had a profound affect on the history of the Detroit Red Wings, and now he will have an important role in shaping their future.

After announcing his retirement on Monday, Yzerman said he is looking forward to his new career -- an unspecified role in the team's front office. Yzerman will be working closely with general manager Ken Holland, assistant GM Jim Nill and senior vice president Jimmy Devellano.
No specifics have been discussed yet, and it hasn't been determined when Yzerman will begin his new role, but he will have some input on personnel

"I told him over the last couple of months if he decided to retire we would have a real front-office position for him and he could be as involved as he wants to be,'' Holland said. "I have the utmost respect for Steve's passion and his knowledge. I look at Jimmy D (Devellano), Jimmy Nill and myself, we all work closely in trying to make decisions, and I see Steve coming in and making a foursome.''

After Holland was promoted to Wings GM in 1997, he and Yzerman discussed a role in the organization after retirement. Yzerman over the last few years has expressed a growing interest in management, as opposed to coaching.

"We just had a general understanding that when I'm done playing we'll sit down and figure something out,'' Yzerman said. "Maybe over the course of the summer we'll sit down as a group and I'll express my short-term thoughts and my long-term plans.''
Devellano said the front office has been grooming Yzerman for this type of position for several years.

"We would really love him to do it because he could be a good help to our organization in many ways,'' Devellano said. "He's smart, he knows what it takes to win, he wants everybody here to do well. I think he'll be a terrific addition.''

Yzerman said he looks forward to working with Holland.
"Over the last few years we've been able to negotiate face-to-face on some of my contracts,'' Yzerman said. "I must say he's gotten the better of me, but I've learned a lot and we really have worked closely and spoken about our entire organization and the direction we're headed.''
Holland doesn't yet know how deeply involved Yzerman wants to get and whether he wants to take a year off. He is taking at least the rest of the summer off.

"I look forward to a lot more free time, at least initially, with my wife, Lisa, and our three children,'' Yzerman said. "They have taken a backseat a long time to my career, to the things I wanted to accomplish, and waited for me when I was available.''

Few athletes are able to spend their entire career with one franchise, as Yzerman has since Devellano selected him with the fourth overall pick in the 1983 entry draft. He's looking forward to remaining in the organization for some time.

"Very few cities in the NHL have the history or the following of the Detroit Red Wings,'' Yzerman said. "I'm thrilled I was able to be part of the Ilitch family and this organization and help bring it back to where it was in the days of Gordie (Howe) and Ted (Lindsay). Every player should have the opportunity to play for a city that supports the team the way (Detroit) does.''

So is Stevie Y headed for the front office?...Can star athletes like this succeed in such a role, or is going to be the next Isiah Thomas or Michael Jordan?