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Who is Steve? Most remember him as a young
rookie full of life and scoring 60 goals a season only to be matched by
the two grates Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky. Yes that is how most
remember him but that is what it is just a memory now because that Yzerman
has matured into one of the best players the game has ever seen.
But thats not how I remember him I remember him and will always remember
him as a 26 goal scorer that has a more complete game. Yzerman was drafted
the year I was born 1983 and ever since the year he was drafted 4th overall
by the Red Wings he has been weaned on a dynasty. And now after years
of agonizing defeat and horrible misfortune it is all paying off for Yzerman.
If he wins one more cup it will put him in with an elite group of players,
and put the red wings into history as a great team. Yzerman is a
stellar two way player that can handle the puck, block the puck, make plays
with the puck, and shot the puck as well as any one who has ever strapped
on skates. But it was not always that way for Yzerman. He made
most of his money as a 60 goal scorer with 150 points a year. But
all that has been forgotten and it seems Steve has been as well by most.
But even so the best playing years of his life have been without a doubt
the last 3 or 4 years winning two stanley cups and 1 Conn Smythe trophy.
But why has he changed so much?? that question can be answered easy Scotty
Bowman came in as coach of the red wings and forced Yzerman to change and
look what happened no he does not score 60 goals any more but what he does
do is lead his team to a Stanley Cup. And after all in 40 years what
are people going to remember about Yzerman "the guy who scored 60 goals
a season" or "the guy who led his team to 3 strait Stanley Cups" think
about it. Yzerman is so under rated yet if the wings lost him the
team would fall over like dominos. Yzerman has always been my fav
hockey player and always will there is so much to Steve that the average
fan does not know I hope this page can help you understand what makes Yzerman
Yzerman.
Steve Yzerman, longtime captain of the Detroit
Red Wings, is without a doubt one of the most popular athletes ever to
play in Detroit. His finesse and desire to play the game is what makes
him a leader, and a winner. He's extremely gifted offensively, but recent
changes from coach Scotty Bowman's defensive system has helped him become
 hockey's
greatest two-way forward. Steve, over the years, has never requested a
trade, or asked for more money, in result received the loyalty of his legions
of fans all across the continent. Off the ice, he'll always take the time
to visit those less fortunate, and will gladly sign a photo for a fan.
Steve Yzerman, born on May 9th, 1965, was raised in a Vancouver suburb
called Cranbrook, and was the third child of five. Steve is of Polish descent.
Unlike other phenomenal greats such as Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux,
Yzerman picked up the game at a late age of 8. His father, Ron, would later
move the family to Nepean, a suburb of Ottawa. Back in Cranbrook, he idolized
the immortal Gordie Howe, but as he grew older, he would try to follow
in the footsteps of Bryan Trottier and Mike Bossy. Bryan wore #19 for the
New York Islander, which is why Steve wears #19 now. At age 11, he would
play Junior A for the Nepean Raiders. He would play for Nepean for 5 years.
At 16 years of age, he joined the Ontario Hockey League to play with the
Peterborough Petes. The Wings had missed the playoffs in 11 of their last
13 seasons and looked to this quiet, relatively small centre as a cornerstone
around which to build a new team and a new future. Steve was  determined
to improve his team and to fill in all the empty seats at Joe Louis Arena.
He started off his career with a big bang. In his first game on October
5th, 1983 against the former Winniipeg Jets, he recorded a goal and an
assist. Steve also scored his first game-wining goal on October 26, 1983
against the Buffao Sabres. It came with :22 seconds left in overtime. He
was runner up for the Calder Trophy to Tom Barrasso and was selected to
the NHL All-Rookie Team. From there, he's broken numerous club records
and set an impressive number of milestones. He has been a Red Wing all
his life, and has wore the "C" for the past 12 seasons, ever since taking
the captaincy away from (then)veteran Danny Gare.Despite being one of the
top players in the league for so long, his great effort was overshadowed
by the likes of two individuals, namely Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.
As the team's only superstar for a decade, he gave his all to the Red Wings
when they deserved nothing. He has healed from numerous injuries over his
career and fought off many trade rumours, and yet he plays with the same
grit and determination he did 10 years ago. Mark Messier may perhaps be
the only player ahead of Yzerman in the "grit and determination" category.
Steve, who lives with his wife Lisa Brennan (married on June 10th, 1989),
and daughters Isabella and Maria, Steve has agreed to stay with the Red Wings
staff after retirement.
Click The plate for more about Yzerman
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