Yzerman’s Playing Days Done
No reason to write that he’s retiring from hockey, or calling it quits, because he’s certainly not. He’ll probably be a Red Wing for a long time to come, but his days as a player are over.
What’s amazing about Yzerman is after his 100-point seasons were done, his reputation as a player and leader grew more than ever before as he changed his style a bit and helped lead the Wings to three Cups. Fans in Pittsburgh take note: When he was given the “C” in 1986, his reputation probably wasn’t far off from what Sidney Crosby’s is today. How things change.
Below are links to some clips from his press conference announcing his retirement (along with blog posts and MSM articles). Even at a presser for him, about him, he still used the word “we” over and over, as he considered his retirement from the team’s perspective. Whether it be in the front office or somewhere behind the bench, Stevie Y isn’t going anywhere, and fans in Detroit should be grateful for that. Gordie Howe may be Mr. Hockey, but Yzerman has truly become Mr. Red Wing.
Video
Some clips from today’s press conference:
Fox Sports via MSN
(Windows Media, a little over 6 minutes)
ESPN Motion
(Flash, under a minute)
Blogs
Abel to Yzerman: How they’re covering The Decision, Yzerman…departing
Behind the Jersey: Steve Yzerman retires, Steve Yzerman: Heart of a Champion
Kukla’s Korner: We Always Had A Chance
Sweet Tea, Barbecue, and Bodychecks: Hail the valourous
Legends of Hockey Network: Steve Yzerman
The Puck Stops Here: Future Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman Retires
Vancouver Canucks Op Ed: Stevie Yzerman Feeling the Rhythm
Battle of Alberta: Stevie Y To Retire
Mike Chen’s Hockey Blog: Stevie Y: My Nemesis
On the Wings: Some Obscure (and not so Obscure) Memories of Steve Yzerman, More Steve Yzerman memories
James Mirtle: Stevie Y bids adieu
HockeyNation: Hockeytown Hails its departing hero
MSM:
NHL.com: With Yzerman’s retirement, an era ends (Phil Coffey and Shawn Roarke)
TSN: Yzerman announces retirement (CP article), TSN’s tribute (including video)
ESPN: Stevie Y showed why success, stardom rarely co-exist (Scott Burnside), My Top 10 Steve Yzerman moments (EJ Hradek), SportsNation Mailbag: What did Steve Yzerman mean to the NHL? (the first two links also link to the Motion video clip, a photo gallery and AP story)
Yahoo: Yzerman Photo Gallery
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