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Steve
Yzerman retires after 23 seasons with Wings
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
Detroit
is proud of it's Red Wings.
DETROIT,
Mich. –
Steve Yzerman did what the other's couldn't. He was the longest-serving
captain in NHL history. He was named captain of the Detroit Red
Wings in 1986 and has filled those shoes every season up to now.
Yzerman is a player that Red Wing fans will never forget...
Steve
Yzerman was born on May 9, 1965. He is currently 41 years old. Yzerman
was born in Cranbook, British Columbia, Canada. He weighs 185 lbs
and is 5'11" tall. Yzerman is married and he has three kids.
They live in the Metro Detroit area.
Yzerman
holds many records in the NHL and within the team itself. He has
1,043 assists which is more than any other player in the Red Wings
team history. He is only second in points with 1,721 to Gordie Howe
who had 1,809 points. He was chosen for 10 NHL All-Star Games. Yzerman
has won three Stanley Cups with the Red Wings in 1997, 1998 and
once again in 2002.
This
afternoon, Steve Yzerman announced that he would retire as a player.
He said that it was a decision he was thinking about all season
long. Yzerman said, "For me,
it's a day of mixed emotions. I know there's lots of referees in
the National Hockey League doing cartwheels today with my forthcoming
announcement."
The
longest-serving captain in the NHL adds, "I've
finally made up a definite decision on my future and I feel very
relieved and very comfortable to let everyone know that I've decided
to retire, hang up my skates. And I feel really good about that."
Wings
fans are going to be really sad about this announcement. Yzerman
was a great player that led the team to three Stanley Cup wins.
Yzerman thanks his fans by saying, "It
is a special place to play and to live in when you're an athlete.
It's just such a calming influence and a great motivation to have
support that we have." Steve Yzerman has accomplished
many milestones throughout his career that none of us will ever
forget.
Don't
look for Steve Yzerman to ride off in the sunset just yet. He will
remain with the Red Wings in shape or form. He could become a future
coach, assistant or have some type of position within the organization.
You will see more of Steve Yzerman just not on the ice as a hockey
player. Yzerman reports, "I look
forward to a future in the game of hockey with the Red Wings in
some aspect."
Yzerman
began playing hockey at the young age of five years old. He was
drafted at age 18 in 1983. He enjoyed playing within "Original
Six" team of the Red Wings organization. Yzerman played hockey
with Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsey. He was named the captain of the
Detroit Red Wings just three short years later, at the age of 21.
He has held that position ever since.
Steve
Yzerman says his final goodbye, "To
everybody out there, on behalf of the future players and present
guys, there’s no place to play that you get this kind of treatment
and respect and adulation and encouragement. And I don’t believe
I would have been able to get through some of the difficult periods,
whether it be injury or whatnot, without the support of this city
and the people here."
He will
definitely be missed. Thank You, Steve Yzerman for being such a
great player. We look forward to seeing you soon...
AmericaJR.com
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