Sports Illustrated remembers Steve Yzerman

Sports Illustrated came out with a special Steve Yzerman commemorative issue after he announced his retirement following a spectacular NHL career. The man Wayne Gretzky once called 'quiet and classy' rode off into the Detroit sunset and called it a career after 22 seasons.

Steve Yzerman finished his career with 692 goals (8th all-time), 1063 assists for 1755 points (in 1514 games) good for sixth all-time behind Gretzky, Mark Messier, Gordie Howe, Ron Francis and Marcel Dionne. He finished ahead of the legendary Mario Lemieux. Accumulated numbers are fine but I like to break down numbers. On a points per game basis Yzerman actually did better than Howe, Francis and Messier. He finished with 1.16 PPG. However, his career did not come close to matching Howe's.

Yzerman accomplished much during his career. He won three Stanley Cups; he won a gold medal for Team Canada at the Olympics as well as at the World Championships and Canada/World Cup. Once a prolific goal scorer with gifted hands and nifty moves, Yzerman's game became better rounded in the twilight of his career.

For me, the Yzerman I remember was the #19 of the1980s where he played in the shadows of 99 and 66. He and Denis Savard were two of the most entertaining players to watch. As a kid, they were some of my favorite players.

Despite all this I wondered why a special issue was committed to him. I don't recall one for Mario Lemieux but I digress and in any event I could be wrong. I could not bring myself to pay the $8.99 cdn to buy it - and I buy almost anything. Why? Yzerman wasn't the most dominating player of his generation. He never won an Art Ross (though he's won a Conn Smythe) and his all-star selections simply do not measure up against the all-time greats.

Many will counter and say Stevie Y was more than just about stats I agree. In the modern era, Yzerman was indeed a rare bird. He was the longest standing captain of any pro team and spent his entire career with the Detroit Red Wings. He was instrumental in resurrecting a once proud franchise (once known as the Dead Things) from the bottom of the pits into an elite powerhouse. Hockeytown was back thanks to Steve Yzerman.

But many players meant so much to so many. When you single out players on subjective levels it lends itself to selectivism (my word). When Mark Messier retired, for example, the consensus was that he was not only the greatest captain in NHL history but among the greatest in North American pro-sports. This was more romanticism than fact. There is no doubt Messier is among the greatest leaders ever but he was not the backbone of the Edmonton Oilers dynasty. Wayne Gretzky was. People forget (conveniently) but it was #99 who made all those already talented players into Hall of Famers. There is no debate about this.

I'll put it you this way in debating whether he deserved an issue. Let's take who I regard as a comparable player in Joe Sakic. Jumping Joe's totals are:

574 goals, 915 assists, 1489 points, 1237 games (17 seasons) - 1.2 PPG

Sakic's accomplishments mirror Yzerman's (Stanley Cups, Olympic gold, World Championships, World Cups, Conn Smythe). He too has never won the Art Ross though he came within three points in 2001. However, he has 3 first all-stars to Yzerman's one selection. And he's not done. Interestingly, Sakic too has had to endure some hard times early in his career with the Quebec Nordiques and was rewarded 2 cups with the Colorado Avalanche. Last, but by no means less important, Sakic may also end his career with one club. * One last similarity: he is widely regarded as a quiet and classy leader.

Steve Yzerman represents all what we look for in a star player. We see him as the quintessential North American athlete. He's a throwback to a simpler time. A golden age of sports where loyalty to a club governed many - even though it wasn't always a two-way street. There are no allegiances; just convenient arrangements. Mercenaries now rule the game. No wonder, we look at Yzerman and we see what athletes ought to be. How we yearn for our sports to be pristine and free of unbecoming behaviour. Hence, the special issue in his name.

Question: Will SI dedicate a special issue to Joe Sakic when he retires?


*The Nordiques moved to Colorado for the 1996 season.