Steve Yzerman

SHOOTS »	Right

HEIGHT »	5'11"

WEIGHT »	190 lbs.

BIRTHDATE »	May 9, 1965

BIRTHPLACE »	Cranbrook, British Columbia

RESIDES »	West Bloomfield, Michigan

DRAFTED »	4th Overall, 1st Round, 1983 (DET)

COMPENSATION »	$8,000,000.00 US

CONTRACT ENDS »	2003

ACQUIRED »	Detroit's 1st choice, 4th overall, in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft.

REGULAR SEASON »								STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS »

GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM	SH	SH%	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM	SH	SH%

54	18	34	52	4	18	155	11.61	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00

Steve Yzerman was drafted fourth overall in the 1983 Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. That year, he made his NHL debut on October 5 with a goal and an assist against the Jets. Later that season, he played in the mid-season All-Star Game. At year's end, Steve was an All-Rookie Team forward and had set team rookie records for goals (39) and points (87). He was named The Sporting News' Rookie of the Year and was the runner-up to the Calder Trophy behind Tom Barrasso. More importantly, Steve helped the Red Wings improve 12 points in the standings to make the playoffs for the first time in six years. In four playoff matches, Steve scored three goals and six points.

In 1984-85, Steve led the Red Wings with 59 assists and finished tied for second in team scoring with 89 points. The Red Wings again made the playoffs and Steve scored two goals in three games. In 1985-86, Steve scored 42 points in 50 games before suffering a broken collarbone that sidelined him for the balance of the season. The team dropped 26 points in the standings that season and missed the playoffs. In 1986-87, Steve succeeded Danny Gare as team captain and paced the team with 59 assists, 90 points and 217 shots on net. He led the Red Wings to a 38-point improvement to finish second in the Norris Division. In the post-season, Steve scored 18 points in 16 games and led the Red Wings to the Campbell Conference finals.

In 1987-88, Steve led the Red Wings to a 15-point improvement to win the Norris Division season title with 41 wins and 93 points. Steve played in his second All-Star Game and paced the team with 50 goals, 52 assists, 102 points and a +30 plus-minus rating, all despite playing only 64 games. On March 1, Steve suffered a right knee injury that caused him to miss the final 16 games of the regular season and the first 13 games of the playoffs. Steve returned in the Campbell Conference finals and scored four points in three games.

In 1988-89, Steve led the Red Wings to their second straight Norris Division season title and set team records for goals (65), assists (90) and points (155). During the season, he posted a 28-game scoring streak. He won the Pearson Award for being selected by his peers as the most outstanding player and finished as the second runner-up to both the Hart Trophy (league MVP) and Art Ross Trophy (scoring). He also set a team record with a 28-game point streak (November 1 to January 4) and played in his third All-Star Game. In six playoff games, he scored five goals and ten points.

In 1989-90, Steve paced the Red Wings with 62 goals, 65 assists, 127 points, 16 power-play goals, seven short-handed goals, eight game-winning goals and 332 shots on net. He played in his fourth mid-season All-Star Game, but the Red Wings missed the playoffs. In 1990-91, Steve paced his team with 51 goals, 57 assists, 108 points, 12 power play-goals, six short-handed goals and 326 shots on net. He played in his fifth All-Star Game and helped the Red Wings make the playoffs. In the post-season, he scored six points in seven games.

In 1991-92, Steve helped the Red Wings win their third Norris Division season title in five years. He played in his sixth All-Star Game and led the Red Wings with 45 goals, 58 assists, 103 points, eight short-handed goals, nine game-winning goals and 295 shots. In the playoffs, he led the Red Wings to the second round with eight points in 12 games. In 1992-93, he played in his seventh All-Star (sixth in a row) and led his team with 58 goals, 79 assists, 137 points, seven short-handed goals, 307 shots and a +33 plus-minus rating. While the team dropped to second in the Norris Division, they actually improved to 103 points and set a team record with 47 wins. In February, he won Player of the Week (February 16), scored his 1,000th career point (February 23 against the Sabres) and Player of the Month honours. In the post-season, he scored seven points in seven games.

In 1993-94, Steve missed 26 games with a herniated disc, but still managed to scored 24 goals and 82 points on the season. Upon his return from injury, Steve scored in 11 straight games (December 27 to January 19). On February 21, he won Player of the Week honours after scoring ten points in four games. By year's end, the Red Wings had won the Central Division title with 46 wins and 100 points. In the playoffs, he scored four points in three games. At year's end, he underwent surgery to remove the herniated disc from his neck.

In the shortened 1994-95 season, Steve scored 38 points in 47 games and led the Red Wings to the Presidents' Trophy championship. In the playoffs, Steve helped the Red Wings win the Clarence Campbell Bowl in the Western Conference finals before falling to the Devils in the finals. In 15 playoff games, Steve scored 12 points. In 1995-96, Steve captained the Red Wings to their second-straight Presidents' Trophy championship with a league record 62 wins. Steve led the team with 16 power play goals and was a finalist (third place) for the Selke Trophy. On January 17, he scored his 500th goal. In the playoffs, he led the Red Wings to the Western Conference finals before losing to the Avalanche. In the Conference semi-finals against the Blues, he scored the series winner in double overtime of game seven. In 18 playoff games, he scored 20 points.

In 1996-97, Steve paced the Red Wings with 63 assists and played in his eighth All-Star Game. On February 19, 1997, Steve played in his 1,000th game (three assists against the Flames). While the team dropped to second in the Central Division in the regular season, they won both the Clarence Campbell Bowl in the Western Conference finals and the Stanley Cup in the finals (against the Flyers). The Stanley Cup championships was the Red Wings first in 42 years. In 20 games, Steve scored 13 points.

In 1997-98, Steve led the Red Wings with 45 assists, 69 points and two short-handed goals. For the second straight year, the Red Wings finished second in the Central Division. In the playoffs, the Red Wings again charged their way to a Stanley Cup championship, collecting their third Clarence Campbell Bowl in four years along the way. Steve led all scorers with 18 assists and 24 points and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for being selected the most valuable player in the playoffs.

In 1998-99, Steve led the Red Wings to a Central Division title and paced the team with 74 points and 13 power play goals. He was also voted to start in the mid-season All-Star Game but missed the contest with an injury. In the playoffs, Steve led the Red Wings to the second round with nine goals in ten games. In 1999-2000, Steve and the Red Wings finished second in the Central Division despite improving 15 points to finish at 108. Steve led the team with 79 points and 15 power play goals and was a First Team All-Star at year's end. He also played in his ninth All-Star Game and won his first Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward. In November, Steve scored his 1,500th point on the 20th, played in his 1,200th game on the 24th and scored his 600th goal on the 26th. In eight playoff games, Steve recorded four assists.

In 2000-01, Steve led the Red Wings to their sixth division title in ten years. Despite being limited to 54 games, he scored 18 goals and 52 points. On January 26, he moved past Phil Esposito into sixth place on the all-time scoring list with 1,591 points. On February 23, Steve scored his 1,600th point.

Steve spent the 1980-81 season playing junior-A hockey with the Nepean Raiders. In 50 games, he scored 38 goals and a league best 54 assists. In 1981-82, he joined the OHL's Peterborough Petes and scored 64 points as a major junior rookie. In 1982-83, he improved to 42 goals and 91 points.

Steve first won a bronze medal with Canada at the 1983 World Junior Championships. In August 1984, he won a gold medal with Canada's national team at the Canada Cup tournament. In April 1985, he won a silver medal at the World Championships. Four years later at the 1989 World Championships, he won another WC silver medal. At the 1990 World Championships, Steve won the Best Forward directorate award.

Steve grew up in the Ottawa suburb of Nepean, Ontario. The city celebrated Steve Yzerman day on November 2, 1996 and renamed the Nepean Sportsplex's hockey rink to the Steve Yzerman Hockey Arena.