Steve Yzerman Tribute is the Highlight of August 24th

Last week I posted a note saying that from here on until Hockey Night In Burtt's Corner returns, I will post one video every Thursday in rememberance of Hockey Night In Burtt's Corner. This week we have the tribute to true leadership, Steve Yzerman.

Steve Yzerman was born on May 9, 1965 in Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada. He played his minor hockey with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League and was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1983 as their first round pick, fourth overall. Yzerman made his NHL debut as an eighteen year old in the 1983-84 season with the Red Wings. He finished with an impressive 39 goals and 48 assists for 87 points and was second in Calder tropphy voting. The following seasons saw Yzerman continue to build on his spectacular rookie season and in 1986 at age 21 he became the youngest captain in Detroit Red Wings history. This added pressure would probably hamper the performace of many athletes, but that was far from the case with Yzerman. Even as the Red Wings were at best a mediocre team, Steve put together a string of six consecutive 100+ point seasons, including an incredible 155 points notched in the 1988-89 regular season.

Starting in the early 1990s the Detroit Red Wings began to turn the corner and Yzerman was upto the task, providing much needed leadership. In 1997 he led the Red Wings to their first Stanley Cup championship since the 1955 season. Yzerman and the Red Wings added another Stanley Cup victory the very next season and he won the Conn Smythe trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs. The Wings dynasty would continue to dominate as they won their third Cup in 2002. Even though Yzerman missed most of the 2002 regular season with a knee injury, he returned for his 20th NHL season in 2003. Steve Yzerman has also represented Canada in the World Junior Championships, Canada Cups and the Olympics. After the 2004 lockout, Yzerman decided to come back with the Red Wings and announced his retirement at the end of the 2005-06 season.

Trophies
Conn Smythe Trophy - 1 (1989)
Lester B. Pearson Trophy - 1 (1998)
Frank J. Selke Trophy - 1 (2000)

Championships
Stanley Cup - 3 (1997, 1998, 2002)

He was truly no doubt in my mind a great of the game, a leader, and by leader I mean probably the greatest leader to ever lead a team on and off the ice. He is the longest reigning Captain in NHL History and he is retired.
God Bless! Steve Yzerman, the greatest Captain to ever play Hockey