Steve Yzerman, the Detroit Red Wings Captain for the last 20 years (a NHL record), is expected to announce his retirement from the team at a 1.00 PM press conference at Joe Louis Arena.
Yzerman who has had major knee surgery and a serious eye injury over the last four years still managed to have a productive regular season with the Red Wings playing in 61 games and scoring 14 goals, adding 20 assists with a plus 8 on the ice. During Detroit’s short post-season run he was arguably the most consistent and best forward for the Wings.
The Red Wings drafted Yzerman fourth overall in the 1983 draft and has worn the “C” ever since. The future hall-of-famer suffered losing season after losing season with the Wings in the 80’s, but became part of the most dominant NHL team in the 1990’s. His best statistical season was 1988-1989 in which in amassed 155 points scoring 65 goals with 90 assists and a plus 17 rating.
The Captain did not win his first Stanley Cup until the 1996-1997 season. However, his Red Wings repeated as NHL Champions in the 1997-1998 season as he went on to win the Con Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup Finals. Yzerman won his third and final Stanley Cup in the 2001-2002 season.
Defenseman, Nicklas Lidstrom, is the most likely candidate to wear the coveted “C’ next year for the Detroit Red Wings.
1 comment:
Sad Day for Detroit Sports!
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