The essence of Class
 

This is a link to an article from ESPN.com about former Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman, whose #19 will be retired in a ceremony tonight.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/...ht&lid=tab2pos1

I just wanted to put this out there for so people can realize that not all "superstars" are like Terrell Owens, and others like him.

Stevie, thanks for the memories, your class, grace, humility and professionalism will be missed.

If only all PEOPLE, not just athletes, were as selfless as "the Captain".

Thanks for posting this, Nutworld! It's killing me that I won't be able to see the ceremony tonight. Supposedly one of the cable channels said last night that they'd show it, but if they do it's going to be on tape delay.

Steve Yzerman is and was one of the classiest athletes to ever wear a uniform, in any sport. He is most definitely missed.



GO WINGS!!!

Good Luck Stevie Y And Thanks For The Memories!!!

The ceremony is over, and the game against the Ducks of Anaheim will shortly take place.

Ted Lindsay, Alex Delvecchio, "Mr. Hockey"-Gordie Howe were among the past Red Wings at the ceremony. Many of his former team-mates were on hand as well.

In typical Steve Yzerman fashion, his first "thank you" was to the opponents of tonight's game, the Anaheim team, for their "patience and understanding" for tonight's events.

Before taking his own accolades, Steve paid credit to Scotty Bowman, whom he felt was not given enough thanks for his efforts in winning the team's Stanley Cup's.

Steve was also "Booed" during his "speech, because he commented that he felt that his presence and effort as the Wings Captain, was "over-valued", and that he did nothing more than the rest of his team-mates did over the years. More typical Yzerman, wanting to talk about others rather than himself.

All-in-all, it was a fitting tribute, and wonderful ceremony for one of Hockey's great ambassadors.

Thanks for the update. I did see the banner raised but that's all. They showed bits and pieces during my local broadcast of The Blues/Blackhawks game. We couldn't bear to watch the entire game and just switched back and forth. Naturally we missed Stevie's speech. I do appreciate the details. :loveshowe

Classy man indeed.

When I lived in Ottawa in 1998, I was impressed they had already named an arena after Stevie Y.

If you missed it, here's some of the ceremony:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=33lQCqT-8H0