Posted on 07/03/2006 12:39:31 PM PDT by MikefromOhio
DETROIT (AP) -- Steve Yzerman, the Red Wings' 41-year-old captain who has played his entire NHL career with Detroit, is hanging up his skates.
Yzerman, who was 18 when he joined the Red Wings in 1983, ended months of speculation about his future Monday when he announced his retirement at a news conference.
"My intention throughout the season was to retire, play one last year," Yzerman said. "This is the right decision for me at this time. I really have no doubt about that."
Yzerman led Detroit to three Stanley Cups and playoff appearances in each of the last 15 years of his career. Only Gordie Howe holds as many franchise records.
The Red Wings had the best record in the league in the 2005-06 season but fell to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the playoffs.
"I really enjoyed the season," Yzerman said. "It ended in disappointment, but that's the one great thing about sports in general. There's no predicting what's the outcome."
Yzerman has been Detroit's captain since 1986, making him the longest-serving captain in league history.
(Excerpt) Read more at sportsillustrated.cnn.com ...
I don't know if you guys saw it, but there is a pretty good picture montage for Stevie on ESPN.
From his young pictures (he looks like he is about 14 or so) to when he won the cup and to his final skating off of the ice in Edmonton.....
Like many have posted, he's in that special class that contains Jean Beliveau.
It's a tiny one.
Thanks!
No problem :)
This Carolina fan didn't want a rematch with the Wings...
I agree.
I'm glad it didn't happen. Just winning the Eastern Conference alone was a challenge.
I'm very happy for Carolina. They're my second favorite team, right after the Wild and I've rooted for them (albeit from long distance) for years.
In fact, my Stanley Cup t-shirt should be arriving any day now. Did you get one?
While I have a personal dislike for Detroit in general, its impossible to cast aspersions on Steve Yzerman. A franchise player, as has been noted, his accomplishments are second to very few in the modern game. Perhaps the most notable of them is sticking with the Wings for his whole career. This is something, in the modern free-agency cash grab paradigm that is extremely rare, and is very likely to be unheard of in our lifetimes in all major sports.
Congratulations Steve and family, you're 41, fit and healthy. Enjoy your family and best wishes for your future. Godspeed.
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