5starrecruit

December 10th, 2013 at 7:14 PM ^

Cool. Seemed like most people thaught he wasn't going to play. I'm not at all surprised though. But im cool like that.

LSAClassOf2000

December 10th, 2013 at 7:39 PM ^

As a reminder, other people that said they would be there include Brendan Shanahan, Chris Chelios, Kris Draper, Igor Larionov, Nicklas Lidstrom and Sergei Fedorov. For anyone that grew up a Red Wings fan, this could be a great thing to see, I believe. Great to see that he is taking some time from being the builder of Canada's OIympic team and his duties in Tampa Bay to reunite with former teammates. 

flashOverride

December 10th, 2013 at 8:05 PM ^

This is really going to be awesome. I've felt like he's tried to distance himself from the Wings since taking the Tampa job (not that he shouldn't when he's an NHL GM), glad he's going to be on the ice. More awesome will be if he someday returns to Detroit's front office when Kenny Holland retires. If that isn't too crazy-far in the future - I was surprised to find Holland isn't quite ten years older than Yzerman. I didn't realize just how young Holland was when he took over as Wings GM. 

Canadian

December 10th, 2013 at 9:47 PM ^

Is it weird I had a huge boner when I heard this earlier in the afternoon? If so I don't want to be normal... I can't wait for the 31st. I have been looking forward to the alumni day for a long time. The winter classic may be the big event but I'd sell my tix to that game before my tix for alumni. Can't wait to see the guys I grew up watching

stephenrjking

December 10th, 2013 at 10:55 PM ^

Yzerman is one of the players I tell my kids about. A great scorer (only Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky have ever scored more points in a season, albeit each multiple times) who became a great leader.

His many accomplishments are too long to list, but my favorite was probably his performance in the 2002 playoffs. He carried the entire team through the first two rounds. On one leg. He could barely move.

It was incredible. Still chilling.

goblue20111

December 10th, 2013 at 11:56 PM ^

I'll never forget when he hip checked Pronger in the St. Louis series. Yzerman had his back to him and Pronger was coming in for a patented cheap hit and Stevie caught him and Pronger was out of the playoffs.



If you were growing up in the mid 90s in Michigan, #19 was your idol.



Double OT against the Blues? Ya he stole it from Gretzky.

Oscar Goldman

December 10th, 2013 at 11:08 PM ^

I live out in BC - and even the Vancouver media did a huge segment praising Stevie Y.  No one could believe what he was able to do on that one leg; his effort was superhuman.  Coming back from that 2-0 deficit to a very hot team was a thril to watch (and watching Canuck fans wilt).  The best part about it was you would never guess it from his demeanor.  He never made himself a spectacle, no self-aggrandizement ever, just old school leadership and honor.

mgoblue99

December 11th, 2013 at 9:57 AM ^

Does anyone know what the plans are for the two games on 12/31?

 

I know they are playing games at 1 and 3:30, but do we know which players will be playing in which game?

 

Thanks in advance.

BlueInDallas

December 11th, 2013 at 12:29 PM ^

I wear #19 on my over the hill beer league hockey team because of Stevie Y.  And, I know I'm not alone.  It is so cool pulling on that 19 jersey and emulating the greatest captain in NHL history (IMHO). 

And, both my girls wear #19 on their respective sports teams because of Stevie Y too.  I teach them about his leadership and work ethic all the time.  They were too young to watch him play live, but they know his greatness through my stories.

Welcome back Steve, even if its just for one game.  Detroit loves you.