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| TSN.ca Staff with CP files 7/3/2006 10:52:43 AM Steve Yzerman will announce his retirement from the Detroit Red Wings today at a 1pm et/10am pt new conference. The Wings have not confirmed the reason for the newser, but TSN has learned that Yzerman told some of his close friends in hockey that he would announce his retirement on Monday. Yzerman has been Detroit's captain since 1986, making him the longest-serving captain in league history. He has led the Wings to 15 consecutive playoff appearances and won three Stanley Cups with Detroit, but the end certainly appeared to be near last season. Yzerman, 41, had 14 goals and 20 assists in 61 games last year, but struggled with injuries. With the Wings season on the line and time running out in what would be their final game of the 2006 playoffs, Detroit pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. Yzerman, the leader of the franchise for 20 years, was not on the ice as the Red Wings were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers. "I'm going to do the best thing for me and the best thing for the team," Yzerman said shortly after the Red Wings' final loss. "I don't want this to turn into a soap opera or an ordeal," he said. Detroit coach Mike Babcock and general manager Ken Holland have said they would welcome Yzerman back for another season. "Steve's been here a long, long time," Babcock said after Detroit was eliminated by Edmonton. "He's been the face of the franchise. ... We want him back, but we will understand if he doesn't come back." Yzerman is a lock for the Hockey Hall of Fame with 692 goals, 1,063 assists and 1,755 in 1,514 NHL games. He also had 70 goals, 115 assists and 185 points in 196 career NHL playoff games. |
Stevey-Y was one of my childhood heroes.
