Happy Steve Yzerman Retirement Anniversary

[Yzerfan1999 81]

One year ago today many of us watched our hero retire after a wonderful career.

Thought I would make a quick remembrance thread for our wonderful captian.

miss you Steve!

Edited July 3, 2007 by Yzerfan1999

[Earthhuman 8]

You will play on in my xbox franchise forever!

388 goals, 612 assists in 72 games this season, and no sign of slowing down.

(ANd in my more realistic franchise, higher difficulty, 61 points in 63 games).

[Gordie Howe hat trick 110]

Saddest birthday I ever think I had was a year ago...but thanks for everything Steve.

[superstarsingh 23]

Saddest birthday I ever think I had was a year ago...but thanks for everything Steve.

Happy Birthday.

Thanks for everything that you did for our team/ your team Steve.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Not a good day in time. You'll be forever missed Stevie Y.

[VladyIBELIEVE16 257]

I will never forget watching this ceremony at work on my pc. I was crying and I was hoping no one would come around the corner seeing me reduced to tears that I couldn't find a way to stop.

It's been a year, and it seems like forever ago I saw him play hockey. Tomorrow is the "day after steve yzerman retired"

You will forever be missed Stevie...and what a shame there's going to be so many people nowadays who don't know what a Franchise Player is.

[Wildwings44 5]

The Captain! 19 forever in the rafters

[T-Ruff 47]

hehe....Another chance to promote my

! He is the reason I became a Wings fan.....thank you Steve, you will never be forgot......

[Yzerfan1999 81]

Saddest birthday I ever think I had was a year ago...but thanks for everything Steve.

Happy Birthday - weird, you also share a birthday with GlasgowCelticWing and Me!

[JayUp88 1]

it was such a sad day

[glasgowcelticwing 18]

Saddest birthday I ever think I had was a year ago...but thanks for everything Steve.

Me too.

Stevie Yzerman greatest Captain ever.

LETS GO RED WINGS!!!!!!!!

[Yzermania19 1]

It was a very sad day, but not unexpected...I think a lot of us thought it would have come sooner.

I sat on my sofa, and the tears just flowed. But I was happy that Stevie got to go out on his own terms, not be forced out because of injury or like so many older athletes, hanging on until their skills are so diminished they are shells of their former selves. He could have played another season as a part-time player, but he didn't want to take a roster spot from a younger, deserving player. He knew his knee wasn't going to get any better, and that he wasn't going to play any better. Sure, he'd had bursts of brilliance during the season, in which we thought (and maybe Stevie thought) the old Stevie was back. But at 41, just how many more of those bursts did he have left? How much longer could his knee hold out and let him skate with minimum pain and discomfort? Those were the questions Stevie had to ask himself and the answers inevitably led to his decision to retire.

He wanted to do what was best for the team, and that was stepping aside and handing the reins over to Nick Lidstrom (whom I think we all knew that, as soon as Stevie retired, would be the next captain. Worst kept secret in sports last summer).

Steve embodied class and professionalism, that's how he played his entire career and that is how he handled himself at the press conference, and later at the retirement ceremony. The NHL will likely never see someone like Steve Yzerman again.

[Yzerfan1999 81]

It was a very sad day, but not unexpected...I think a lot of us thought it would have come sooner.

I sat on my sofa, and the tears just flowed. But I was happy that Stevie got to go out on his own terms, not be forced out because of injury or like so many older athletes, hanging on until their skills are so diminished they are shells of their former selves. He could have played another season as a part-time player, but he didn't want to take a roster spot from a younger, deserving player. He knew his knee wasn't going to get any better, and that he wasn't going to play any better. Sure, he'd had bursts of brilliance during the season, in which we thought (and maybe Stevie thought) the old Stevie was back. But at 41, just how many more of those bursts did he have left? How much longer could his knee hold out and let him skate with minimum pain and discomfort? Those were the questions Stevie had to ask himself and the answers inevitably led to his decision to retire.

He wanted to do what was best for the team, and that was stepping aside and handing the reins over to Nick Lidstrom (whom I think we all knew that, as soon as Stevie retired, would be the next captain. Worst kept secret in sports last summer).

Steve embodied class and professionalism, that's how he played his entire career and that is how he handled himself at the press conference, and later at the retirement ceremony. The NHL will likely never see someone like Steve Yzerman again.

[Viperar 16]

hopefully this man is with the red wings in some form or another until he ceases to function

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I miss you Stevie!!! The Wings will never be the same

I can always play NHL06 though , and get Stevie 50 in 50 and like 120 points per season

[wingschamps 0]

hehe....Another chance to promote my

! He is the reason I became a Wings fan.....thank you Steve, you will never be forgot......

that's awesome. last time i cried. July 3rd, 2006.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

that's awesome. last time i cried. July 3rd, 2006.

Just curious, but how did you avoid crying on January 2, 2007? I think this day would be classified as a not so happy anniversary. Thanks for the memories Stevie Y!

[wingschamps 0]

Just curious, but how did you avoid crying on January 2, 2007? I think this day would be classified as a not so happy anniversary. Thanks for the memories Stevie Y!

I guess just because i was there on Janury 2nd. Maybe i was just too happy/excited to cry.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

We miss ya on the ice Yzerman, but we know you are doing bigger/better things now. May you continue to learn and strive in the high-end life of the sport and business! :beerbuddy: