Before I even start writing about what Stevie Y has meant to the Detroit Red Wing Organization and her fans, a lump forms in my throat and my heart swells just a little. Its not an exaggeration to reveal that I can barely write about The Captain without tears welling up. Steve Yzerman means that much to so many of us.
There might not be a player in the history of the League that means so much to so many.
So on this day of celebration, every Red Wings fan should take a moment to stop and thank The Captain for all he has given us.
Done yet? no? Good- Stevie Y deserves every last moment of gratitude.
In 1983, the entire Metro Detroit Area found itself thrilled and captivated by the soft spoken boy with the amazing hands and lightning speed who would come to don (some say "tattooed to his chest") the red Winged Wheel for the next 23 years. An incredibly handsome 18 year old from Nepean, Ontario. The boys wanted to be him and the girls wanted to marry him. (Trust me on that one, I replaced my Scott Baio and Outsiders posters with a picture of Stevie Y.) Stay Golden Stevie Y, Stay Golden.
With stats more impressive than most of those beloved in the hockey world, Steve Yzerman did it all with a grace, class and quite strength that is second to none.
With grace, class and quiet strength he accomplished more than even the most revered and beloved sports figures throughout history.
No other player in the history of the league has accomplished as much as Stevie Y all the while keeping his nose and his skates incredibly clean. There has never been a scandal associated with The Captain or his family. No gambling, drunk driving, strip clubs, baby mommas. Not even a cross word to a fan. As Captain, he was second to none, leading by example with the uncanny ability to quiet a locker room containing the likes of Bob Probert, Darren McCarty and a host of other colorful characters, merely by quietly opening his mouth. No one on ice ever called him a dirty player, no one who has played the game has ever said anything negative about his talent or character.
And despite being quiet, well spoken, incredibly shy, injured a good period of his career, surviving yearly trade rumors, and blamed by some for failing to earn a SC in the 1980's, he ended a 41 year drought, leading our Red Wings to 3 Stanley Cup Championships, staying with the franchise that drafted him for his entire career, while earning and holding countless franchise and league records.
Grace, Class and Quiet Strength. And a killer wrist shot. Unfathomable in this day and age. In any day or age.
Wings fans owe Steve Yzerman endless thanks, but we also owe him an apology too. The Captain would likely cringe at what I am about to write, perhaps be a bit embarrassed about the fuss. But when looking back on this storied career, a true fan would be remiss in failing to remind everyone that there was a time when trade rumors swirled around Steve with such intensity and frequency that everyone either came to believe them or resigned themselves to the "fact". And it didn't help that these rumors grew strongest during a time when our beloved hockey team was not so fondly referred to as the "Dead Wings", while he battled debilitating back injuries and pain.
The trade rumors came to a head as Scotty Bowman came into the Red fold. Most people thought the Bowman era would herald in the end of the Detroit Red Wing franchise player and send Steve away.
Maybe you didn't realize it at the time, but I know you know it now.
We got incredibly lucky.
Mr. Yzerman stayed and even the biggest critics would breathe a sigh of relief. Still anxious and begging for that elusive "Win", almost all agreed that we were glad someone so beloved, loyal and talented had not been cast away. In that experience, Wings fans learned a valuable life lesson: that character, grace, class and quiet strength were more important to this franchise than short term gain, that in life and sport, the "win"- at any cost- shouldn't be the goal.
Once more Steve Yzerman gave in ways no one ever expects an athlete to give. He made us better sports fans. His example shown so that we could realize what we should have remembered: that the "win" alone does not make the game important.
He didn't take any of it lightly either. Steve Yzerman has always understood the responsibility of his role, and he has never faltered in giving us his very best. And without harboring any sign of resentment or feelings of betrayal, Stevie Y made it through those rumor and times sticking to his golden example:
Grace, Class and Quiet Strength, always giving his all, without excuse.
Upon surviving into the Bowman Era, Stevie Y would surpass every expectation (except perhaps his own) and give back more than we ever asked. Astounding because we were asking for the moon and the sky and a shiny silver cup from which to drink it all in.
Stevie Y never let us down. He not only survived one of the more difficult eras of League/game evolution, but he gave back to us for every last little bit of trust and reliance we Wings fans placed with him. He came back a stronger, healthier more talented leader than he had ever been before.
He lead the Detroit Red Wings into and through 18 years of championship hockey. Played for and won three Stanley Cups, lead the team to become the most storied team in all of sports, with 18 consecutive playoff appearances.
When we doubted him, he never gave up on us. Or himself.
Immeasurable. Grace, Class and Quiet Strength.
"Red Wing for Life." I can still hear Mr. Ilitch saying it in June 1997. And we all cried our eyes out. I might even be crying now. I can't help it. Its difficult to express just how much The Captain means to Red Wings fans.
I can tell you this. I have had the luxury of attending quite a few away games and can attest that one cannot enter a single NHL venue in this U.S. of A. on a night when the Red Wings visit without seeing an overwhelming number of Yzerman Sweaters. I would have no problem believing that in terms of sheer numbers there are only one or two (maybe 3) players in the history that have sold more hockey sweaters.
I can also assure you of this: neither the amount of joy he has given Detroit Red Wing fans, nor gratitude we owe him can be measured. If you have had the misfortune of reading anything else I write, have read how much the Detroit Red Wings have meant to my family, rest assured you know that its Steve Yzerman who sits at the top of the list of individuals responsible for the joy and care we have experienced.
And so on this day of Steve Yzerman's induction into the HHOF, I say:
" Oh Captain, my Captain, Thank you. Thank you Mr. Yzerman, for everything."
Simply put might be the only fitting way to truly express the adoration and gratitute felt.
