Steve Yzerman enters his fourth season in his role as vice president and 26th overall with the franchise. In his current position, Yzerman works closely with Jim Devellano, Ken Holland and Jim Nill evaluating talent at both the professional and amateur levels. He provides extensive input regarding potential trades, free agent signings and at the annual NHL Entry Draft. Yzerman has captured four Stanley Cup championships in his career, three as a player (1997, 1998 and 2002) and one as a member of Detroit’s management team (2008).

A standout player, Yzerman announced his retirement on July 3, 2006, after a remarkable 22-year career in the National Hockey League and with the Red Wings. He played 1,514 games (11th all-time), scored 692 goals (eighth all-time) and tallied 1,063 assists (seventh all-time). His 1,755 career points rank sixth all-time in NHL history.

Mike and Marian Ilitch purchased the team in June 1982 and soon after appointed Jim Devellano general manager. Devellano used his first pick as Red Wings’ general manager to select Yzerman fourth overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft.  He is the Red Wings’ all-time leader in assists (1,063) and ranks second all-time in goals (692) and points (1,755).  Only Gordie Howe (1,687) and Alex Delvecchio (1,549) played more games in a Red Wings sweater than Yzerman.

As impressive as Yzerman’s statistics are, it is his title as the longest serving captain in NHL history that may encapsulate his illustrious career.  His 20-year reign as captain of the Red Wings began in 1986-87 when head coach Jacques Demers appointed the young emerging star as the next leader of hockey in Detroit.  Yzerman supplanted Danny Gare in the role and became the youngest captain in franchise history at just 21-years-old.  

Throughout his career, Yzerman excelled in the Stanley Cup playoffs. He made 20 post-season appearances and won the Stanley Cup three times as a player (1997, 1998 and 2002).  In 1997, he led the Red Wings to their first Stanley Cup championship in 42 years.   The very next season, following a tragic accident that left Vladimir Konstantinov and Sergei Mnatsakanov critically injured, Yzerman led the Red Wings on an emotional playoff run that ended in their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship.  During the 1998 postseason, Yzerman led NHL in scoring with 24 points (6 goals, 18 assists) in 22 games and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.  In 2002, despite a serious knee injury, Yzerman once again proved to be the driving force behind the Red Wings capturing their third Stanley Cup championship in six seasons.  He ranks ninth all-time in NHL playoff scoring (185 points), 16th in goals (70) and is tied with Larry Murphy for 11th in assists (115).  He is Detroit’s all-time leader in postseason goals, assists and points, and ranks second all-time in postseason games played (196).  Yzerman’s four hat tricks in the Stanley Cup playoffs are the fifth most all-time.

In 23 seasons with Detroit, Yzerman led the club in scoring 11 times and scored over 100 points six times.  He set franchise records for goals (65), assists (90) and points (155) during the 1988-89 campaign.  His five seasons of 50-or-more goals are the most in Red Wings history and he owns the three highest goal-scoring seasons in franchise history (65, 1988-89; 62, 1989-90; 58, 1992-93).

On January 2, 2007, Yzerman’s No. 19 was officially retired by the Red Wings' organization in an electric pre-game ceremony at Joe Louis Arena.  Yzerman was joined by family and friends, former Red Wings greats, the entire Red Wings' organization, 20,066 boisterous Red Wings fans in attendance and many, many more watching the festivities on television in an emotional night that no one will soon forget.  His sweater now hangs from the rafters at Joe Louis Arena along side the all-time legends of Detroit Red Wings hockey including Terry Sawchuk (1), Ted Lindsay (7), Gordie Howe (9), Alex Delvecchio (10) and Sid Abel (12).

Along with 10 NHL All-Star Game selections, Yzerman also won the Bill Masterson Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game of hockey (2002), an Olympic Gold Medal with Canada (2002), the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward (2000), the Lester B. Pearson Trophy as NHLPA’s top player (1989), and was selected to the NHL’s all-rookie team (1984).

Since retiring as a player, Yzerman has also been an integral part of the management team of Hockey Canada.  He served as general manager for Team Canada at the 2007 and 2008 IIHF World Championships.  Under his watch, Canada captured gold in 2007, defeating Finland in the IIHF championship game.  Canada would again advance to the IIHF championship game in 2008, but settled for silver following an overtime loss to Russia.  Yzerman is currently serving as the Men’s Olympic Hockey Team executive director for Team Canada at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

Steve and his wife, Lisa, reside in suburban Detroit with their three daughters.