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He may not have been born in Detroit but he definitely "grew up" in Detroit. He gave sports fans in this town one of the greatest careers this generation has ever witnessed. I remember Steve Yzerman being named Captain at such a young age. He didn't flinch. He led by example. He led with dignity. He led with class.

All I have read are second hand accounts by those who shared a locker room with him are how quiet he was but when he chose to speak it made a major impact.

His toughness on and off the ice are unmatched by any Captain I know of. His mental toughness with the hiring of Scotty Bowman and him changing his game to suit Bowman's more defensive style is yet another example. Hearing his name mentioned in trade rumors with Ottawa in 1995 could not have been easy. I hate to think what would have happened had the Red Wings pulled the trigger on that trade. We would probably still be waiting for a Stanley Cup. Let alone four.

I was fortunate to be a Red Wings season ticket holder for much of Steve Yzerman's career. I saw so much great hockey. A team always on the ascent. Making the playoffs year after year and competing with the like of the Wayne Gretzky led Edmonton Oilers that was more a team of all stars and Hall Of Famers than just another hockey team.

The Yzerman led Red Wings gave me the greatest night I have ever had as a sports fan in Detroit attending Game 4 of the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals. A 2-1 win and a sweep of Philadelphia giving Detroit their first Stanley Cup in 42 years. It was like an out of body experience. I was also at Tiger Stadium in 1984 when the Tigers won the World Series as well as Magglio's home run in 2006 to send the Tigers to the World Series at Comerica Park. 

Another, on a personal note, was the game 5 win over Carolina in 2002 which I was able to share with my father who is no longer alive. To watch the Steve Yzerman led Red Wings to hoist another Stanley Cup at home at The Joe with my father by my side is an experience I will never forget and will cherish forever. 

A few years ago a client wanted to buy me a gift to thank me for an extraordinarily tough job that went off without a hitch. He asked someone who my favorite athlete is and I had to stop and think. I never looked at athletes like that. I am not an autograph collector. I am just a sports fan and product of 1960's thru present baseball, 1960's thru the early 2000's NHL, 1970's thru 1990's NBA, Michigan State sports, and Premier League and World Cup soccer. The upshot here was my answer. I said the athlete I respect the most is Steve Yzerman for all the reasons mentioned above and more. 

Steve Yzerman's homecoming could not happen at a more crucial time in Red Wings history. I admit I only watched a handful of games the past few years as they have become a tough watch. I have total faith, given time, he will make a monumental difference in the trajectory of the franchise.

With all the negative news in the world at the moment I am so happy to wake up with a giant smile on my face today.

Thank you Detroit Red Wings.

Welcome home Stevie Y!