2006-09-15 14:35:48 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Hockey
A consummate team player. A very intelligent player, and a very devoted player. It's extremely extremely rare that you see any player in any sport spending 20+ years with one team.
He reminds me of Carl Yastrzemski a bit. There were times in his career that I'm sure Yaz could've signed with a different team for a lot more money. But he didn't, because he was very loyal.
There were players and there are players better than Yaz. But a person doesn't think of those players and the idea of loyalty, and the idea of an all-around great player, and fair player, who would give 100% for his team as they would Yaz. (OK those were the '70's and '80's. But there aren't very many others. Kent Hrbek is one. Ryne Sandberg, maybe another). That isn't to say that any player that ever went from one team to another must be a bad guy or a less-than-honest player. But just, for those guys, with the really good organizations they got their start with, and who stayed with them and they stayed with, they were very loyal and it paid off for them and the team.
I'd put an * next to Bobby Orr and Ray Bourque. They would've stayed but for the Bruins had Sinden as GM. Sinden had his job to do, they had theirs to watch out for.
So I think that's Yzerman's contribution. A lot like Yastrzemski.
Extremely good players, very honorable players, in the end very selfless players who achieved excellence.
2006-09-15 20:00:29 · answer #1 · answered by Ilmari_Karjalainen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Set the record as longest serving captain of one team - 20 years. Scored a lot early in his career in the high scoring 80's, but knew when to step into a leadership role that didn't require him to score so much. Great to see him hoist a few Cups and a Gold Medal for Canada at the Salt Lake Olympics.
2006-09-15 17:49:32 · answer #2 · answered by Zeeshan V 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Legend. Hockey Hall of Fame inductee in 2009. Irreplacble.
2006-09-15 15:09:53 · answer #3 · answered by hockey craze99 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Incredible. Tremendous leader for the Wings and will be missed. Its quite rare to see a player in the NHL spend his whole career in one city. Detroit fans we're lucky to have him.
2006-09-15 14:50:44 · answer #4 · answered by ceemcee05 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am going to miss seeing him play. He was one of my favorite players
2006-09-15 15:33:27 · answer #5 · answered by Hockey_Freak 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Great Human Being..The Sport of Hockey is better because of him. A class act, and a great player too. Thanks Stevie..
2006-09-15 15:28:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A true leader. He will be missed.
2006-09-15 15:06:50 · answer #7 · answered by lidstromnumber1fan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing but respect.
2006-09-15 14:43:02 · answer #8 · answered by sean1201 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
one hell of a player and sportsman. he will be missed.
2006-09-15 14:39:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
red wings bought their championships ,, they suck!!!, go AVS!!!!, but seriously,, stevie Y was a good player,, *like Sakic*,, hard nosed and very good leader,,,,
2006-09-15 15:13:01 · answer #10 · answered by katalystxxl 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋