The third installment of the Hall of Fame Edition is a man synonymous with the Winged Wheel logo. Steve Yzerman's entire playing career was spent in the Motor City with the transition to management taking place nearly two decades ago.
Steve stops by for a chat with Vic and Neil and we cover the entire spectrum for youth to his playing career to the rivalry with the Colorado Avalanche to life as a hockey executive.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[01:10] - The show opens with Neil and Steve recalling their first meeting at the 1983 Memorial Cup when Yzerman was just 18-years-old and how he ended up with number 19.
[03:23] - Not so fond memories having to wear the one-piece Cooperalls for Peterborough during the junior years.
[04:27] - Early upbringing from Cranbrook, BC to the OHL and returning home a few years ago on a scouting trip where Yzerman visited his first rink.
[06:51] - The 1983 Entry Draft and the expectations of staying with the big club immediately. Current Seattle head coach Lane Lambert was selected in that draft as well.
[09:41] - Being named captain of the Red Wings in 1986 at age 21. As an executive now, his thoughts on whether he'd name a captain that young.
[11:06] - Learning to lead.
[13:03] - The key conversation with head coach Scotty Bowman where some of the big offensive numbers might need to be sacrificed a bit in order for the Wings to have more team success, particularly in the playoffs.
[17:17] - Steve's most memorable goals as he recalls them.
[18:07] - The white heat rivalry with the Avalanche born in 1996.
[21:36] - The first Stanley Cup in Yzerman's career in 1997 breaking a 42-year drought for the Wings dating back to 1955. Coming off the losses to Colorado and Team USA in the World Cup of Hockey in 1996, there were doubts Steve would ever become a champion.
[25:33] - The 1998 and 2002 championships where severely injured defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov and head coach Scotty Bowman had special Stanley Cup moments.
[28:25] - After winning another Cup as VP of the Red Wings in 2008, Yzerman became GM in Tampa, learning the ropes from Ken Holland. Though he didn't win a Cup with the Lightning, he laid the foundation for the championship teams in 2020 and 2021.
[32:29] - The difference of building a team in 2025 as compared to 2010.
[35:40] - The harsh reality of building a playoff team when only half of the teams make the post-season.
[40:59] - Putting a wrap on the Hall of Fame chat with Steve Yzerman
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil
Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/
NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/
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