Thanks for the Memories Chris Osgood

Ozzie, as he has been lovingly referred to by fans the past 20 years, has been my favorite player for as long as I can remember. As I write this, I am trying to hold back the tears that have already been flowing for a day, while I try to do him some form of justice. Nothing I ever write would be enough though. I love and respect Ozzie so much mainly because throughout his career, he has faced so many obstacles and critics around the league. One of the biggest being his height- he is only 5’10”. The height of the goalies has transformed drastically since Ozzie came into the league. But, he worked with goalie coach Jim Bedard to change his playing style. He has more heart and love for the game than any other goalie, and possibly player, I have ever seen. Whether it be his pregame interview bombing with Ken Daniels, or his off ice charity work, he is the ideal definition of what a Red Wing player is all about. Character, Courage, Determination, Ethics, Loyalty, Perseverance, and Team.

Basic Bio:

Ozzie was born November 26th, 1972 in Peace River, Alberta. He was obsessed with hockey. His favorite pro team was the Edmonton Oilers. He was drafted 54th overall by the Red Wings in the 1991 NHL draft.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly:

1993-1994: This was Ozzie’s first season with the Red Wings. During the playoffs, he was made the starting goaltender due to Bob Essensa’s performance in the regular season. In game 7 of the quarterfinals against the San Jose Sharks, Ozzie went to clear the puck and ended up giving it away. The heavily favored Wings were eliminated from the playoffs due to it.

1995-1996: On March 6th, 1996 Ozzie became one of only nine goaltenders to score a goal. He led the NHL with 39 wins and a 2.17 goals against average. He received his first Vezina trophy nomination.

1996-1997: Ozzie helped bring the Stanley Cup back to Hockeytown after a long awaited 42 years.

1997-1998: This is one of my favorite seasons for Ozzie. Besides having an epic goalie fight, he led the wings to back to back Stanley Cup championships.

2001-2002: In the summer of 2001, Ken Holland received a phone call from Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Reiger. The Wings ended up acquiring Dominik Hasek. Holland had to call Ozzie, who he considers a son, and tell him. Ozzie was picked up on waivers by the New York Islanders. Ozzie had this to say…“Things happen in sports. I’m not leaving on a sour note because too many positive things have happened to me in Detroit… Who knows? Maybe one day, when I’m a free agent, I can come back.”

2002-2003: March 11th, 2003 Ozzie was traded from New York to St. Louis.

2005-2006: On August 8th, Ozzie did the unthinkable and signed a two year contract with the Wings.

He was injury plagued for a lot of the season.

2007-2008: Ozzie battled for the starting position with Dominik Hasek for the majority of the season. Hasek ultimately won the position and was set to start the playoffs. After poor performance in game 4 of the quarter finals, Hasek was pulled and Ozzie was sent in. Ozzie then led the Wings to a Stanley Cup Championship. During the offseason, Ozzie and Captain Norris took the Cup on Jay Leno’s tonight show. I will never think of the song “sexy back” in the same way ever again.

2008-2010: Ozzie was plagued with injuries once again and struggled during the regular and post seasons.

2010-2011: December 27th, Ozzie won his 400th career game against the Colorado Avalanche. While Adam Foote was the only player left on the Av’s from the 90’s rivalry, I see it so fitting that Ozzie won this milestone against the team that was basically enemy number one of the Red Wings franchise throughout his career. January 4th, Ozzie would play and win his last game against his favorite team growing up, the Edmonton Oilers. His father was in attendance.

On Tuesday June 19th, rumors started surfacing that Ozzie would be holding a conference call to announce that he would be returning for one more year. USA Today, NHL.com, the Detroit Free Press and Yahoo sports all had reports to this effect. About ten hours later, there were completely new reports stating the exact opposite. At noon, Ozzie had officially announced his retirement and stated that he would be working to mentor the young goalies in the Red Wings organization.

Now the Hall of Fame debate truly gets underway. While every other site out there feels the need to compare him to other players and say why it is or isn’t that he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, I’m just going to state the obvious. He deserves to be in there among the greats. He has over 400 wins, which is tenth in all of NHL history. That alone should be enough. On top of that, add three Stanley Cups, with him being the starter for two of them. He is sixth all time in winning percentage with .539% and two of the goalies ahead of him are still active. So, there is a very good chance that he will even move up on the list. Ozzie’s amazing stats go on and on. As far as him playing among greats, didn’t most successful goalies? (Patrick Roy, cough, cough.)

You more than likely already have your own opinion on the subject and I’m sure I cannot change that. (Especially if your name is Ryan Lambert.) But, consider the statistics and it’s obvious where he belongs.

2011-2012: Ozzie will continue what he’s been doing for the past twenty years or so, just not playing. He will continue helping mentor Howie and any other goalie that needs or asks. He will continue being a leader on and off ice. He will continue his shenanigans with Draper right by his side. He will continue to make us laugh by probably interview bombing every once in a while during pregame warm-ups. He will continue to make us so happy that we are fortunate enough to be Red Wings fans.

Have a great retirement Ozzie and you will truly be missed.

Love,

Ally and the rest of the Hockeytown Family

P.S. Drapes, don’t leave. I couldn’t stand writing two of these in the same year.

Twitter Google Plus or Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com

82 Days of Hockey

The season, playoffs, awards and draft are over. So until hockey starts, you may be asking yourself, what should I do to occupy my time now because NHL Network is just replaying the same thing over and over? If you are as obsessed with hockey as I am, you’re probably starting to get a little antsy and it’s only been two days since the draft. So, I have compiled a day by day “hockey activity board” if you will, for any hockey fan, of any team for the next 82 days . Just do one a day and I promise, you will survive. (All of these are free unless you decide to purchase something. You should have all of the things needed to do these things around the house and they will take anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour.)

Monday, June 27th Day 1

Visit the Hockey Hall of Fame

Now, unless you live in or around Toronto, this is probably not very realistic. So, take a virtual tour.

Tuesday, June 28th Day 2

Using hockey terms and players only, have some fun with mad libs.

1 2 3 If you want them posted, send me the finished link. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)

Wednesday, June 29th Day 3

Write a piece on one of your favorite players. If you have a tumblr or blog put it up there. If not, send it to me and I will be happy to put it on here. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)

Thursday, June 30th Day 4

Play some hockey games online. There are a ton of them to chose from.

Friday, July 1st Day 5

FREE AGENCY! Watch NHL Network/CBC/TSN/whatever because they will be talking about it a lot today.

Saturday, July 2nd Day 6

Play the Pierre McGuire drinking game. (If you aren’t old enough to drink, play with Kool-aid. You’ll still get a buzz.) I’m sure you have a DVR or DVD of a game from the past. If not, borrow one or go to NHL Video on YouTube, search your favorite team (or Pierre McGuire), and play that way.

Sunday July 3rd Day 7

Learn about your teams prospects and draft picks. Go to your teams official site, click on your affiliate team(s) or prospects and read up.

Monday July 4th Day 8

Happy Fourth of July! If you have no plans, then watch the movie Miracle and “relive the magic” of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team. Or, party like Buffalo, NY native Patrick Kane! (Hahaha. Kaner’s gonna Kane.)

Tuesday July 5th Day 9

One year ago today, the greatest enforcer ever to play the game of hockey passed away. To remember Bob Probert, either read some of his book Tough Guy (you can borrow it from the library) or watch some classic Probie clips.

R.I.P. Probie. Also, send a “shout out” to Darren McCarty on twitter or facebook and Tie Domi on twitter or facebook as they remember their friend today.

Wednesday July 6th Day 10

Review the Southeast Division teams and find something out about a player from each team that you didn’t know. Washington Tampa Bay Atlanta/Winnipeg Carolina Florida

Thursday July 7th Day 11

Using hockey terms and players only, have some fun with mad libs.

1 2 3 If you want them posted, send me the finished link. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)

Friday July 8th Day 12

Go on a virtual tour of a hockey training center to get an idea of where the players train.

Saturday July 9th Day 13

Make your own hockey quiz with the facts that you know. Go here and then you can send them to me and I will post them or you can post them on your own pages! (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)

Sunday July 10th Day 14

Learn a little history about hockey.

Monday July 11th Day 15

Review the Central Division teams and find something out about a player from each team that you didn’t know. Detroit Chicago Nashville St. Louis Columbus

Tuesday July 12th Day 16

Start a facebook fan page for your favorite NHL player. If you send me the links, I will put them up here. (Email redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter @TigerbloodTuzzi)

Wednesday July 13th Day 17

Learn about your team’s arena.

Thursday July 14th Day 18

Just read this, then this, then this (the answers are what I like), and then finally this. You now should have your laughs and hockey fill for the day.

Friday July 15th Day 19

Read Bobby Orr’s Bio.

Saturday July 16th Day 20

Do a simpler version of a hockey player’s workout. All you need is a jumprope, step or even tape! And it only takes 15 minutes. Too lazy for that? Then eat most hockey player’s favorite meal… Chicken and pasta.

Sunday July 17th Day 21

Using construction board/cardboard paper, make your own hockey cards. Make them about you or your favorite players.

Monday July 18th Day 22

Go for a walk in your neighborhood or local park. BUT, instead of saying hi to everyone you meet, tell them a random hockey fact. (I do it all the time. It actually is fun and you catch people off guard.)

Tuesday July 19th Day 23

Write your own hockey song. Warren Zevon’s Hit Somebody and Good Ol’ Hockey Game are hockey staples, but create your own. Write it about your favorite player, team, or just in general. You can even do a remix to a song already made. (And if you want me to send me the lyrics or video if you made one, I’ll put them up. Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com)

Wednesday July 20th Day 24

This is a four part segment. Re-watching the HBO 24-7 series. Episode 1. Only watch one episode a day though, otherwise you won’t have anything hockey to do the day after. (These videos are in about 15 minute segments and the links will pop up to lead you to the next part after.)

Thursday July 21st Day 25

Episode 2 of HBO’s 24-7 Series

Friday July 22nd Day 26

Episode 3 of HBO’s 24-7 Series

Saturday July 23rd Day 27

Episode 4 of HBO’s 24-7 Series

Sunday July 24th Day 28

Read Bobby Hull’s Biography.

Monday July 25th Day 29

Have some fun generating new hockey team names with fantasy name generator.

Tuesday July 26th Day 30

Do something in honor of one of your favorite players or teams, such as charity work. The charity will usually give you a certificate or something that says “Your name here worked/donated whatever in honor of ‘Pavel Datsyuk.'” Then mail that to their arena and C/O it to the chosen player(s).

Wednesday July 27th Day 31

Learn about another NHL team’s arena.

Thursday July 28th Day 32

Make your own hockey related crossword puzzle.

Friday July 29th Day 33

Watch three history will be made parodies.

Saturday July 30th Day 34

Go to some garage sales. I have found hockey books, DVDs, memorabilia and even a signed Nicklas Lidstrom rookie card. I’m not saying that everyone you go to you will find hockey stuff, but it will be good for you to get out of the house and get some fresh air anyways!

Sunday July 31st Day 35

Using hockey terms and players only, have some fun with mad libs.

1 2 3 If you want them posted, send me the finished link. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)

Monday August 1st Day 36

Read Mario Lemieux’s Bio.

Tuesday August 2nd Day 37

Make a top ten countdown of “You know you’re a true hockey fan when…” Submit them to me if you wish, and I will post them. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com) (Example: You punish your kids with minors, majors, and misconducts.)

Wednesday August 3rd Day 38

Make your own game for your team/announcers/etc. (See Day 6 for guidance.) Pick a background (or chose one hockey themed) and make it accordingly. If you want, email them to me (redwingsandov8@yahoo.com) and I will post them.

Thursday August 4th Day 39

Have fun with Akinator, the Web Genius and see if he can guess what hockey players you are talking about. This is actually really fun.

Friday August 5th Day 40

Give your game from Day 38 a trial run through with either you tube clips or a former game that you have DVR-ed or have on DVD.

Saturday August 6th Day 41

Congratulations! You’re halfway there! You should be proud of yourself. Celebrate by making a Stanley Cup Cake. If it just so happens that you don’t need a cake to serve a thousand, try one of these. (Send me pictures and I will post them. Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)

Sunday August 7th Day 42

Today is Sidney Crosby’s birthday. To those of you that like Crosby and Penguins, you can watch this today. To those of us who do not, we can watch this today. (This is me being nice by the way… At least I’m acknowledging him.)

Monday August 8th Day 43

Support your team today by wearing your favorite jersey, shersey or any clothing item that represents them.

Tuesday August 9th Day 44

Call or Email Gary Bettman with your opinion on him. If you think he’s doing a good job, let him know. If not, let him know also. His last known email was gbettman@nhl.com and his phone number is (212) 789-2000 ext. 2101

Wednesday August 10th Day 45

Read some Brett Hull Quotes. Love him or hate you, you have to acknowledge that he says the craziest stuff. It’s usually pretty true though.

Thursday August 11th Day 46

Play some more hockey games online.

Friday August 12th Day 47

Create a photoshop of your team. A macro, meme, anything amusing. Send them to me if you would like and I will post them. If I receive enough entries, I will make a poll and everyone can vote for their favorite. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com)

Saturday August 13th Day 48

Read Steve Yzerman’s Bio. Or if you are a red wings fan, read my version.

Sunday August 14th Day 49

Learn about the past and present of the Winnipeg Jets.

Monday August 15th Day 50

Start reading a hockey book. Any hockey book. Brett Hull’s My Story was one of my favorites along with Bob Probert’s Blood Feud as well. But, depending on where you live and what teams you like, I’m sure the selection varies. Libraries always have at least a couple hockey books.

Tuesday August 16th Day 51

Using hockey terms and players only, have some fun with mad libs.

1 2 3 If you want them posted, send me the finished link. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)

Wednesday August 17th Day 52

Review the Northeast Division teams and find something out about a player from each team that you didn’t know. Boston Buffalo Toronto Montreal Ottawa

Thursday August 18th Day 53

The 2012 NHL All star game will be played in Ottawa. Read about how they were selected and what Ottawa had to say about it.

Friday August 19th Day 54

Another Multiple Day Event. Watch the first Mighty Ducks. (After 72 minutes, you will have to wait 30 minutes before you watch anymore, so seperate each movie into two days. Then, just “fast forward” to the part it stopped at. Or rent them. Or if you have them, obviously just do it that way.)

Saturday August 20th Day 55

Watch Mighty Ducks. (Part 2)

Sunday August 21st Day 56

Watch D2: The Mighty Ducks. (Part 1)

Monday August 22nd Day 57

Watch D2: The Mighty Ducks. (Part 2)

Tuesday August 23rd Day 58

Watch D3: The Mighty Ducks. (Part 1)

Wednesday August 24th Day 59

Watch D3: The Mighty Ducks. (Part 2)

Thursday August 25th Day 60

Review the Pacific Division teams and find something out about a player from each team that you didn’t know. Anaheim San Jose Phoenix Dallas Los Angeles

Friday August 26th Day 61

Tickets will be going on sale soon for the 2011-2012 season. Check out your team’s schedule (if you haven’t done it yet) and plan what games you will be going to so when they do go on sale, you will be ready.

Saturday August 27th Day 62

Visit this gallery of NHL/Hockey goalie masks.

Sunday August 28th Day 63

Review the Atlantic Division teams and find something out about a player from each team that you didn’t know. Philadelphia NY Rangers NY Islanders New Jersey Pittsburgh

Monday August 29th Day 64

Watch the Best of the NHL Green Men.

Tuesday August 30th Day 65

Find a friend who isn’t a hockey fan and try to turn them onto the game.

Wednesday August 31st Day 66

Make sure you know the complete history of “The Miracle on Ice.” While the movie is pretty accurate, there are always things that go untold.

Thursday September 1st Day 67

Review the Northwest Division teams and find something out about a player from each team that you didn’t know. Edmonton Colorado Minnesota Calgary Vancouver

Friday September 2nd Day 68

Do some mad libs with only using hockey terms/players/etc..

1 2 3 And if you want to send me the good ones, feel free. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)

Saturday September 3rd Day 69

Read The Stanley Cup Marathon: A Fan’s Survival Guide to the Playoffs so when the time comes around next year, you will already be prepared.

Sunday September 4th Day 70

Make a hockey bucket list with at least ten things you want to do relating to hockey before you die. If you want to submit them to me, I will post them. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com)

Monday September 5th Day 71

Watch The Love Guru (Part 1) and watch for cameos. See day 54 for “rules.”

Tuesday September 6th Day 72

Watch The Love Guru. (Part 2)

Wednesday September 7th Day 73

Every team has at least one under appreciated player. That player is usually a grinder/fighter/etc that doesn’t always get the recognition that they deserve. So, send your favorite so-called “fourth liner” a quick fan mail letter. (Mail to your NHL arena and C/O to the player.)

Thursday September 8th Day 74

Have some fun customizing your team’s jerseys. You don’t have to buy them but screen shot and send them to me for submissions. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi) Examples:

Friday September 9th Day 75

Look up the history of the first overall picks in the NHL draft and see how many of you know, as well as where they are now.

Saturday September 10th Day 76

Read Wayne Gretzky’s Bio.

Sunday September 11th Day 77

Go to your local arcade or family fun center and play some air hockey.

Monday September 12th Day 78

Write a poem/haiku/etc about your favorite coach/player/team/etc. Submit them to me if you want them published. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com)

Tuesday September 13th Day 79

Start making your signs for opening night. Even if you aren’t going to the game, support your team with them at home/at the bar/where ever.

Wednesday September 14th Day 80

Make hockey stick and puck cookies for your team or just hockey puck cookies. Send me pictures and I will post them. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)

Thursday September 15th Day 81

Review and/or learn Rule 48.

Friday September 16th Day 82

Make a “Top Ten Signs You’re Obsessed With Hockey” Countdown. Submit them to me and I will publish them. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com)

Saturday September 17th

Congratulations, you made it! Training Camp begins today (at least for the red wings it does!) In less than a week, preseason begins! So go cheer your team on as they begin to get ready for their quest for the cup!

What Actually Happened Back in Boston When Timmy and Chara Were in Vegas…

Three Days Later…

Wednesday 4 p.m. Las Vegas

Meanwhile, Back in Boston…

Two Days Later, Timmy and Z arrive home to find Brado and Seguin peacefully hanging out.

One week later, Timmy decides to go get the pictures developed from Las Vegas and takes the ones Brado and Seguin left laying around as well. (They don’t have a digital camera yet. Strictly disposable.)

Two Hours Later

Z comes and sits with Timmy and they look at all their pictures from Vegas. Then they decide to look at Brado’s and Seguin’s. They look at the first roll of the ones with Bergy and are pleasantly surprised that they behaved themselves. Then they get to the second roll.

So, they keep looking through the pictures…

After about an hour, Timmy finally gets Z to calm down. So they decide look at the last picture…

And Chara was so mad that he destroyed the entire world.

THE END.

*If you couldn’t tell, these were photo shopped. They are not real. I mean, do you really think Tuukka would ever go to jail? And if you don’t know why Bruce Bordeau is in here, let me know and I’ll explain it.

Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com, Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi, Tumblr: TigerbloodTuzzi.tumblr.com

My Tribute to Steve Yzerman

Steve Yzerman is undeniably, and always will be, one of the most beloved Detroit Red Wings players ever. To so many of us, he is the greatest player of all time. Yes, even better than Gretzky. Some people will never understand why or how we can make that comparison, but they didn’t have the opportunity to see him play game after game, injury after injury. Gretzky on the other hand was featured every night on ESPN highlights. So, I know I will not do him justice in this article, but I feel the need to try and explain why so many of us feel that he was the best player to ever play the game and why he will always have a special place in our heart, no matter where he is. (I also mean no disrespect to Wayne Gretzky in this. He is after all “The Great One.”)

How He Became A Wing:

At the 1983 draft, the Red Wings were going to pursue Pat Lafontaine instead of Stevie Y. They had the fourth overall pick in the draft and the New York Islanders had the third. The Isles took Lafontaine and so Jim Devellano, who was our general manager at the time, decided to take a chance on the 18 year old from Cranbook, B.C.

Leadership:

On October 7th, 1986 at the age of 21, Stevie Y was named the Captain of the Detroit Red Wings. On that day, he became the youngest Captain in franchise history. Next season, he led the wings to their first division title in 23 years. Throughout his career, he proved why he was the right person to don the “C.”  His teammates always considered his leadership cool, calm, and collected. He always seemed to be uncomfortable when people recognized and praised his leadership abilities and talent. Stevie chose to lead by example instead of giving hour long locker room speeches. In my opinion, that is part of the reason he was such a fantastic leader. Stevie holds the NHL record (20 years) as the longest serving captain of a team in the league.

Style of play:

Scotty Bowman became the Red Wings coach in 1993. He wanted Stevie to play more of a defensive style of game. At first Stevie resisted, but then he “tried it out” and became a better defender and eventually evolved into one of, if not, the best two way player ever in the game. Some say that Datsyuk wouldn’t be the player he is today if it wasn’t for watching and learning from Stevie Y’s style of play.

Perseverance:

This is the most memorable part of Stevie Y for myself. Throughout the 2001-02 season, he was having many health problems, specifically with his knees. When it came around to playoff time, he could barely skate, but he did.  I remember Brendan Shanahan saying that Stevie would come up to him during the playoffs and explain what he could and couldn’t do. “But then, you realized when you watched him, there wasn’t a lot that he couldn’t do,” Shanny said. And there really wasn’t. He had so much drive and determination that nothing could really stop him. The next season, he was forced to miss over 60 games after undergoing a knee realignment surgery.

Off Ice:

Stevie was always a leader and role model in the community. He supported many charities and was influential in the Christmas trip to the Detroit Children’s Hospital. There are so many articles about Stevie’s charity works. More than half of them make me want to cry, and some of them in fact do. I’ve listed one of the articles that was most touching.

Braxton

Stevie also would always take time for fans after practice/training camp/whatever the occasion. I have never personally been to the Red Wings training camps, but I know many people that have and their stories are always the same. Stevie would come outside and start his way at one end of the line and work his way to the other until every fan had their autograph and picture.

Leaving Detroit:

This is a quote from the Ilitch family reguarding Stevie’s departure from the Red Wings’ organization to the Lightning’s organization. “This is not easy. We’re having a difficult time, frankly, because Stevie’s been with us from the start and we consider him part of our family. We drafted him as a young and shy 18-year-old – just a year after we bought the team – and he has been part of it all: the ups and downs, highs and lows, the Cups, the celebrations, really everything Red Wings over the last 27 years. We watched him grow and develop over the years into a Hall of Fame player, a wonderful husband and father and now, a very capable executive. We appreciate all Stevie has done for us, our organization and this community, and we wish him all the best. Stevie Y will always be a Red Wing and he’ll always be in our hearts.”* It was hard on any true Red Wings fan, but I think we all agree that Stevie deserved that opportunity. And he proved that. The previous season the Lightning finished 25th in the league and had not made a playoff appearance since 2007. Then Stevie takes control, makes a few adjustments including acquiring veteran goalie Dwayne Roloson, and they finish eighth in the league and make it to the Eastern Conference finals.  He was up for the General Manager of the Year award for his spectacular “rookie season”, but lost to Mike Gillis of the Vancouver Canucks.

Awards:

• 1989- Lester B. Pearson Award
• 1998- Conn Smythe Trophy
• 2000- Frank J. Selke Trophy
• 2002- Men’s Ice Hockey Olympic Gold Medal
• 2003- Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
• 2006- Lester Patrick Trophy
• 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008 Stanley Cup Champion
• Also received four different medals through the Canada Cup and World Championships.

*Notable Honors/Statistics:

• 10 All-star games
• Sixth in NHL history in points, eighth in goals and seventh in assists
• First in Red Wings history in assists; second in points and goals; third in games played; second all-time in seasons and games played with only one NHL franchise
• Number (19) retired with Detroit Red Wings – 2007
• Number (19) retired with Canadian Men’s National Team – 2005 (Was unretired by Stevie himself and gave to Joe Thornton.)
• Longest-serving captain for a team in league history (1,303 games)
• Was Ranked #6 in The Hockey News The Top 60 Since 1967 – The Best Players of the Post Expansion Era
• Has been inducted into Four Hall’s of Fame (Ottawa Sports HOF 2008, Michigan Sports HOF 2008, Canada’s Sports HOF 2008, Hockey HOF 2009)

Memorable Moments Through Pictures:

Closing Thoughts:

We now say that Nicklas Lidstrom is the “perfect human” but if you look back on Stevie’s career, he truly was. He was a model captain, player and friend. I remember reading in Bob Probert’s book Tough Guy, that when Probie was playing with the wings and going through all his “troubles”, he would always look forward to talking with Stevie. He knew that Stevie would never look down on or degrade him, like so many did. That was just the kind of guy Stevie was and always will be.

Ohh and when Holland retires, he will be back. (Just saying.)

*Stats/Honors via Stevie’s Wikipedia, Quote via Detroit Red Wings

Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi Tumblr: TigerbloodTuzzi.tumblr.com