The Captain announces his retirement

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 2:46 pm

I mentioned this in the offseason thread...Sportsnet is reporting the press conference is for him to make official. I've prepared myself for this moment for when he's going to call it a career and I don't think I'm ready to see him go. He's one of a kind...we'll miss him greatly. He will go down as one the most beloved and respected players ever in this city and perhaps in all of sports. I'm actually welling up in tears as I'm typing this...this is going to be a sad day for WingFan every where.

I'm fairly certain #19 will go right up to the rafters this next season and I hope to honor his great captaincy, that the Wings go with 3 assistant captains next season and don't name a new captain until '07-08. Between Shanahan potentially leaving and Yzerman calling it a career...this is without a doubt the most difficult offseason for the Wings nation. Losing two key parts of this franchise that helped lead this team to three championships.

There will never be another...

:cry:

(EDIT--The press conference will air on FSN Detroit at 1 p.m...I wouldn't hold my breath for ESPNNEWS to show it. They're probably too busy talking about the MLB All-Star Game and women's golf playoff. If you're away from a TV, checkout WXYT.com and you can hear the presser over the web)

WolverineSteve · Post by **WolverineSteve** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:17 pm

Rack the Captain.

Stevie Y goes into Red Wing lore among the greatest of all time. Howe, Lindsey, Sawchuck, Yzerman...the Mt. Rushmore of Red Wing Hockey.

I would have loved to see him make another Cup run, but in the new NHL who knows how long it may take for the Wings to get back to the Finals.

The 80's through the present have been great for fans of Motor City teams. Class guys like Stevie, Joe D, Barry Sanders, and Trammell play their entire careers in Detroit.

Good Luck Captain. Thanks for the 2 decades of leadership through example.

WolverineSteve · Post by **WolverineSteve** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:38 pm

http://www.mlive.com/weblogs/snapshots/ ... tml#157565 :cry:

al? · Post by **al?** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:40 pm

Have also heard from the CP that this is the end. Pretty numb right now.

Thankful that my last vision of him isnt seeing him writhing in agony on the ice. Saw him pass Mario Lemiuex on the goals scored list at The Joe. He had a great seaon this year and it's not a bad way to go out. 3 Stanley Cups, Conn Smythe, Pearson, Selke.......nothing left to prove for the Captain.

sad day

Blitzkrieg · Post by **Blitzkrieg** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:14 pm

Oh man....

I'm listening to the press conference on WDFN right now.

:cry:

I knew this was coming.... I feel sick.

WolverineSteve · Post by **WolverineSteve** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:22 pm

What a classy presser.

Company man through and through.

You gotta love the Red Wing "Family" in attendance. Gordie, Terrible Ted, Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. I, Jimmy D., Kenny H., etc.

War- Being there for Stevie's first Cup at the Joe. Never been in a louder arena.

Cross Traffic · Post by **Cross Traffic** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:27 pm

Didn't notice Terrible Ted there....Even at 80+, Ted will still kick your ass on the ice.

Blitzkrieg · Post by **Blitzkrieg** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:34 pm

I'm going to get drunk.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:58 pm

Blitzkrieg wrote:I'm going to get drunk.

I may not get hammered but I'll definitely raise a glass to the greatness that is "The Captain". Much love for #19...a great press conference, he seems to be at peace with his decision so I guess I can feel good about it as a fan. Selfishly, I want him to play forever but his body just can't take the punishment anymore and he's got a family to worry about. He'll be a Joe Dumars-like management guy...the Wings will always be in good hands when he's around.

JD · Post by JD » Mon Jul 03, 2006 7:28 pm

Steve Yzerman was my favourite player as a kid, and that was way before many people knew how to even pronounce his name. His will always be the only non-Flames jersey I ever own or wear.

Much respect to the guy and his accomplishments. A truly great career has had its last chapter written.

Even though he may not see last season as a successful one, having not won the Stanley Cup, I'm glad to have seen Yzerman play in it. Like al?, I would have hated for his last moments on the ice to be frantically reaching for the bench, wondering if his eye is still in its socket.

It will be interesting to see how the Red Wings team goes forward with this. They've remained dominant in recent years, despite an aging roster and probably less playoff success than they've wanted. It always seemed that when things started going sour for them, Yzerman picked them all up. With that presense no longer in the room and on the ice, you wonder if they'll be able to walk through regular seasons winning Presidents' Trophies and go into the playoffs as one of the top 2 or 3 favourites as they did in the past.

Tim G · Post by **Tim G** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 7:46 pm

Too bad. But it's gotta end sometime.

Joey Moss · Post by **Joey Moss** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 3:32 am

I'm sad to see Steve Y hang them up. I was positive he would be back for 1 more year. He was coming on in the last quarter of the playoffs and averaged 1 point every two games for the season.

Steve Y and Joe Sakic were two guys who were drafted by shit teams, stuck it through the bad times, and brought their teams to Stanely Cup. Both are class acts all the way. Sad to see Stevie go.

WolverineSteve · Post by **WolverineSteve** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 2:57 pm

Check out the Pic of young Stevie reading about Gordie Howe.

http://couchparty.com/sports/yzerman.htm

Nice Albom piece.

http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? ... 048/SPORTS

From Helene St.James

http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? ... 3/SPORTS05

Photo gallery of the presser

http://info.detnews.com/pix/photogaller ... /index.htm

al? · Post by **al?** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 5:31 pm

Those are nice pieces. I'm sadder today than yesterday.

I didn't think it would hurt this bad.

Blitzkrieg · Post by **Blitzkrieg** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:45 pm

This is an actual picture of Yzerman's empty locker yesterday. The best part is that there is a copy of GOLF DIGEST on the bottom right of his locker.... rather poignant, I thought.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:18 am

al? wrote:Those are nice pieces. I'm sadder today than yesterday.

I didn't think it would hurt this bad.

I broke down yesterday morning when I rest that Sportsnet snippet about him likely to make the announcement...it finally hit me that it was the end of the road for him. I'm going to miss him playing but I think the team is in good hands he heads to the front office.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=170492&hubname=nhl