Yzerman's number retired; Datsyuk out with groin injury
Jan 2, 2007
The thing I’ve always enjoyed so much about covering Steve Yzerman is his sense of humor. Take Tuesday afternoon, for example; it was a few hours before his jersey was going to be raised to the rafters at Joe Louis Arena, and Yzerman joked about how he wished he were called something else.
“I kind of wish my name was Smith or Jones, because in 20 years, no one’s going to remember how to pronounce it,” he said. “It took me 20 years around here to get everyone around here to pronounce it right.”
Of course, most people around here refer to him simply as “Ste-vie.” Yzerman got a good four-minute ovation when he was introduced Tuesday night, and the chants of “Ste-vie, Ste-vie,” were deafening.
There were so many special moments: Seeing former defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov come up the red carpet and join the group at center ice was one of the best, along with the number going to the rafters, and the tributes from the speakers.
Personally, I think Scotty Bowman topped them all. He was as eloquent as I’ve ever heard him, and he put so much perspective on Yzerman’s tremendous career. His line about Yzerman’s strength – “No player I ever coached could play with a pain threshold like Steve Yzerman” – might be the sound bite of the evening.
Yzerman was there with his wife and three daughters, who stood with him when his jersey was raised. How they got home I don’t know, but hey, they got a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ from the Ilitch family, so there was one option.
The ceremony lasted nearly 90 minutes, well done from start to finish. It’s going to be a late night, though; the Ducks game was scheduled to start at 7:30 and didn’t start until an hour later.
Pavel Datsyuk was a surprise late scratch; he's day-to-day with a groin injury.
By Helene St. James
Comment by Margaret Taylor | Jan 2, 2007 11:34:32 PM
Kudos to CBC for broadcasting the tribute to Steve Yzerman. There were no commercials for the complete 1 1/2 hours. That must be a first for a major network and it shows the kind of respect and admiration we have for Stevie "Y" here in Canada. We wish Steve and his family all the best and THANK YOU for all the great hockey.
Comment by Angela | Jan 3, 2007 1:36:29 AM
Steve Yzerman is a true Canadian GEM!
Comment by chris | Jan 3, 2007 9:42:28 AM
what else can you say about a guy that throughout a ceremony dedicated to him, and all that he has done, and yet he cannot help but try to shine his spotlight on everyone else..steve you truly are a class act..and the reason the wings are what they are today..thank you
Comment by Han | Jan 3, 2007 9:56:16 AM
Does anyone have a copy of the ceremony or know where one can purchase it? I've been a Red Wings fan ever since 1990. It would be nice to add this to my collection.
People like Steve need to be emulated, not the T.O.s or Chad Johnsons of this world.
Comment by Marc Margolis | Jan 3, 2007 11:11:48 AM
Thank you Steve Yzerman for saving the Redwings and building Hockeytown.
Datysuk has a broken bone in one of his arms or his hands not a groin pull. Rob Blake shoould be serving a long suspension for the use of his stick on Datysuk
Comment by Doug | Jan 3, 2007 12:36:52 PM
You'd think life growing up in BC would be about as far removed from small town in Louisiana as one could possibly imagine. Stange how it is that two of the most revered athletes ever to grace this big city have similarities that will forever endear them in the hearts of Detroiters.
Joe D. and Stevie Y. are everything you want your kids to be regardless of whether they ever lace up skates or basketball shoes -- humble, appreciative, gracious in defeat as well as victory, equally respectful of teammates, opponents, presidents and factory workers. They obviously understand how fortunate they are to have been blessed with a gift that many dream of but few realize. Every professional athlete
should receive a video of Steve and Joe with their first contract, one half highlighting the career achievements and the other half showing how to act on and off the field of competition.
note to T.O., Kobe, the Big Unit, etc. - thank you for taking your acts to Dallas, L.A. & the Big Apple. I'd have a hard time frequenting games around here if I had to see your numbers raised to the rafters.
Comment by Janet Howitt | Jan 3, 2007 3:38:04 PM
Thanks to a wonderful hockey player, class act, role model and really great guy. He is an inspiration and, for me, the absolute best player to lace up skates, The game of hockey was far better due to the play and sportsmanship of Stevie Y. He is missed!!!!
Comment by Nicholas Kessler | Jan 3, 2007 3:45:02 PM
I wish that I could've been at that ceremony for one of the greatest players to play the game of hockey. Steve Yzerman deserves to have nearly every hockey accolade known to man. The world could use a few more Steve Yzermans. The man was a true hockey class act to play with or against (Denoting Mats Sundin, Jarome Iginla, and Jason Smith). I believe that he'll go into the hockey hall of fame within the next three years.
Comment by SANDI | Jan 3, 2007 4:44:43 PM
Stevie is going to be so missed with his down-to-earth character, sportsmanship and wonderful athlete. Not only should he be a role model for our young, but he should also be one for some of other athletes, i.e., Owens and Rodman. It is so unfortunate that so many of our athletes have such an arrogant attitude are troublemakers and do anything for a little publicity. They should really look at this class act and take some good pointers. You will most definitely be missed, Stevie, as both a role model on the ice and player!!
Comment by tom | Jan 4, 2007 8:45:45 AM
That "C" was for class and character. Nobody wore it or lived it better than Stevie Y.
Post a comment
