Yzerman hangs up Wings' sweater

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jul 4, 2006 | by Associated Press

DETROIT -- Steve Yzerman, the Red Wings' longtime captain who played his entire 22-year NHL career with Detroit, is retiring.

The 41-year-old Yzerman, who was 18 when he joined the Red Wings in 1983, ended months of speculation about his future when he announced his retirement at a news conference Monday.

"My intention throughout the season was to retire, play one last year," Yzerman said. "I really enjoyed my final season here with the Red Wings. I thought about it a lot, about coming back and playing this season. This is the right decision for me at this time. I really have no doubt about that."

Yzerman led Detroit to three Stanley Cups and playoff appearances in each of the last 15 years of his career. Only Gordie Howe holds as many franchise records. He has been Detroit's captain since 1986, making him the longest-serving captain in league history.

"I look forward to a future in the game of hockey with the Red Wings in some aspect," he said.

A 10-time All-Star, Yzerman was a member of the NHL's All-Rookie team in 1984, won the Lester B. Pearson Award honoring the league's outstanding player in 1989, the Conn Smythe Trophy honoring the playoff MVP in 1998 and helped Canada win gold at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.

His 692 goals rank eighth all-time, while he is seventh on the career list with 1,063 assists.

"Steve was a great ambassador for the game of hockey and will be sorely missed," said Mario Lemieux, a teammate of Yzerman's on the 2002 Olympic gold medal team. "Steve was a great leader, a great teammate and most importantly is a great person."