Steve Yzerman: #19, 5'11, 185lbs. May 9, 1965, Cranbrook, BC.
Unlike most NHL hockey players Steve Yzerman did not
take up hockey until the age of 7. Most players start skating much
earlier, however in Yzerman's case it does not seem to have been a
problem. Steve was born in Cranbrook, BC, and lived there for 9 years until
his father moved the family to Nepean, Ontario in 1974.
Steve names his hockey idol as Bryan Trottier, thus being the reason
he wears # 19. The last amateur club that Steve played for before being
drafted was the Peterborough Petes of the OHL. In 1983 he was drafted
4th overall by the Detroit Red Wings and has been fortunate to have spent
his entire career so far with Detroit, and by the looks of things he will
most likely end his career without ever being traded.
For most of his career Steve has been extremely underrated, that is why
winning the Stanley Cup last year lifted such a huge weight off his
shoulders, and now with Cup # 2 under his belt, along with the Conn Smythe
trophy, he has nothing more to prove.
One of the most attractive qualities that Steve Yzerman portrays is the fact
that he is extremely humble, and modest. He is not overly flashy, and
usually looks embarassed and uncomfortable when being given credit for
anything. However, these traits are what makes Steve one of the greatest
leaders in the sport of Hockey. He is also extremely dedicated to his wife
Lisa and their two daughters Isabella and Maria.
Nobody can deny the strength of the Detroit Red Wings. They are an
extremely close group. Winning the Cup last year and then dealing with
the car accident that left Konstantinov and Mnatsakanov seriously injured
gave the Wings the strength they needed, not only as a team, but as
friends, to once again win hockey's greatest prize. I believe that with
Yzerman's leadership, and hopefully Bowman's coaching skills, the Wings
will once again win the Cup next year and be forever known as one of
Hockey's great Dynastys.
