On this day when Steve Yzerman will officially receive induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, I wanted to share with the Hockeybuzz community my favourite "Stevie Y" moment.

But before I do that, here is a look at some of his top NHL goals scored over the course of his illustrious career. No goal was more dramatic than the double overtime slapshot winner over the right shoulder of Blues' goaltender Jon Casey in Game 7 of the 1996 Western Conference Semi-Finals. His jubilant celebration afterwards epitomizes his extreme desire to reach the pinnacle of his sport.

However, for me, my favorite Yzerman goal is #2 on this Top 10 list vs. the Philadelphia Flyers and one that somehow did not make the TSN's Top 10 list, but very well could be his greatest goal of all vs. the Chicago Blackhawks at the old Chicago Stadium.











Yet even after watching all of these fantastic goals, my fondest Yzerman memory is the feeling I had when I watched Yzerman lift the Stanley Cup for the very first time on June 7th, 1997. Having followed Yzerman throughout his entire career due to my close proximity to Detroit, even though I was not a Red Wing fan, I can still vividly recall the feeling of happiness and satisfaction that came over me in seeing #19 finally lift the Stanley Cup over his head.


After the serious knee injury in 1985-86, getting cut from Team Canada prior to the '87 Canada Cup, the back-to-back Conference Final losses to the Edmonton Oilers in '87 and '88, the numerous first-round playoff losses after successful regular seasons ('91, '93, '94), the trade rumors to Ottawa given his strained relationship (at the time) with Scotty Bowman, getting swept by New Jersey in the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals.......to see Yzerman's grin on his face, I couldn't help but think to myself at the time how deserving he truly was to be captain of a Stanley Cup winning team.




Congratulations Steve on this tremendous career accomplishment. As you were on that Saturday night in June of 1997, you once again are most deserving of the adulation and recognition that is being bestowed upon you.

Thanks for the memories, enjoy the moment...........and bring Canada a gold medal in men's hockey at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics!!!!!!!!

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The Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be broadcast on the NHL Network in the U.S. and on TSN in Canada. The ceremony begins at 7:00pm EST. In addition, to Yzerman, former Red Wings Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille are being inducted, along with Brian Leetch and Lou Lamoriello.


mark.spizzirri@hockeybuzz.com