Steve Yzerman

The Captain who led Detroit to three Stanley Cups and became a Hockey Hall of Famer.

Stephen Gregory Yzerman (born May 9, 1965) is a Canadian former professional hockey player who is currently the interim executive vice president and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, where he spent all 22 seasons of his NHL playing career. He is a Detroit sports icon and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. After his retirement as a player, he served in the front office of the Red Wings, and then as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, while also being executive director for Team Canada in two Olympics. Yzerman will transition into an advisory role with Detroit ahead of the 2026–27 NHL season.

Quick Facts

Hall of Fame: 2009
Born: 9 May 1965
Birthplace: Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
Position: Centre
Shoots: Right
Played for: Detroit Red Wings
Draft: 4th overall

Lore & Background

Prior to the 1986–87 season, at age 21, Yzerman was named captain of the Red Wings and continuously served for the next two decades (dressing as captain for over 1,300 games), retiring as the longest-serving captain of any team in North American major league sports history. Locals often simply refer to Yzerman as 'Stevie Y', 'Stevie Wonder', or 'The Captain'. Yzerman led the Wings to five first-place regular season finishes and three Stanley Cup championships (1997, 1998, and 2002). He retired in 2006 among the NHL leaders in total career points and went on to a further career in NHL and international management.

Reader's Guide

Yzerman won numerous awards during his career, including the Lester B. Pearson Award (most outstanding player) in the 1988–89 season, the Conn Smythe Trophy (most valuable player of the Stanley Cup playoffs) in 1998, the Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward in 2000 and the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance in 2003. He played in ten All-Star Games and was a first team All-Star in 2000 and a member of the All-Rookie Team in 1984.

Did You Know?

Yzerman was drafted fourth overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1983 NHL entry draft after the New York Islanders selected Pat LaFontaine third.
Yzerman scored 155 points (65 goals and 90 assists) in the 1988–89 season, finishing third in regular season scoring behind Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky.
Yzerman won an Olympic gold medal in 2002, making him one of few players to win an Olympic gold medal and the Stanley Cup in the same year.