#19 in the Joe Louis Rafters

From Yahoo sports:
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Red Wings to retire Yzerman's jersey

By LARRY LAGE, AP Sports Writer
August 30, 2006

DETROIT (AP) -- Steve Yzerman, who led the Detroit Red Wings to three Stanley Cups, will have his No. 19 jersey retired Jan. 2.

The 41-year-old Yzerman retired in July after playing each of his 22 seasons in Detroit -- 20 as captain -- where he became one of the most famed athletes in Michigan history and one of the NHL's all-time greats.


His jersey will be hoisted in Joe Louis Arena to hang among Gordie Howe's No. 9, Terry Sawchuk's No. 1, Ted Lindsay's No. 7, Alex Delvecchio's No. 10 and Sid Abel's No. 12.

"For a long time, there was no doubt in ownership's mind that Steve Yzerman would play his entire career with the Detroit Red Wings and that his sweater would fittingly go up into the rafters along with the other all-time greatest Red Wing players," senior vice president Jim Devellano said Wednesday.

The Red Wings will honor The Captain before playing Anaheim.

Yzerman helped Detroit win Stanley Cups in 1997, '98 and 2002. He made 20 postseason appearances and he ranks eighth all-time in the NHL with 185 playoff points. The 10-time All-Star led all active players last season with 1,755 regular-season points, a total that trails only five others in NHL history. He was regarded as one of the best two-way players in his prime.

He became captain as a 21-year-old player in 1986 and two decades later became the longest-serving captain in league history. A native of Cranbrook, British Columbia, he led the Canadian team to a gold medal in 2002.
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This is a no-brainer. Stevie Y is first ballot HOF when he becomes eligible. A tap o'the stick to the heart & soul of Hockeytown.

Steve Yzerman was an unbelievable player and it is nice to see the Red Wings retiring his number. It will be interesting to see who will become the new leader in Hockey Town

He deserves the honor. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Stevie Y is definitely in my top 20 list of best hockey players of all time!

Im sad to ehar steve retired and shanny isnt on the red wings either but hasek returrned.steve and brendan are outragous players they play with so much heart they both have so much talent.ive seen brendan fighthes a nice looking guy too but never steve bc he doesnt wanna mess up that beautiful face of his he is a good lookin man and isnt ageing at all he looks extremely good age 41.


PS OLDHIPPY ALWAYS HAS SHIT TO SAY HES ALWAYS RUNNING HIS MOUTH ABOUT SOMEONES TEAM OR PLAYERS WHEN HE SHOUDL BE TALKING ABOUT HIS OWN TEAM .

Uh -- last time I looked, this was a HOCKEY FORUM BOARD and all were welcome to spout off on ANY team in ANY league. Freedom of speech and all that...

GM-- dsg and I have had a running feud on the NAHL board since last season. I have to admit that this is the first time she has attempted to insult me for posting something that she seems( Sometimes it's hard to tell what she means) to agree with. Since there is very little personal BS on this section of GR (which is quite refreshing), I will make this my parting shot and no longer answer her inane and asinine drivel.

Noted, OH...since you obviously have this one under control, I'll just watch from the sidelines with amusement.

They could stll use him on the ice.