Steve Yzerman: Most Gracious Superstar

In an age of look-at-me professional athletes, full of boasting, silly taunting and big celebrations over routine plays, Steve Yzerman is a reminder that the best and most talented shine all the brighter for humble behavior.

The longtime Red Wings captain, and a three-time Stanley Cup winner as a player, enters the Hall of Fame as a winner on the ice and off, a gentleman respected by his peers and adored by his fans.

Yzerman was, and is, classy and understated, the embodiment of old-fashioned values of sportsmanship and personal accountability.

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He was also an outrageously great hockey player: the sixth all-time scorer in NHL history, a skilled skater and puck-handler with a sharp shot and beautiful passing ability, plus smarts and savvy. That alone would be enough to earn him Hall of Fame honors. His long service with one club, which includes the longest stint as team captain in North American sports history and those three championships, is equally impressive.

For sheer graciousness, nothing tops Yzerman's speech the night his jersey was retired at Joe Louis Arena. I was there, on Jan. 2, 2007 and remain struck at how in 20 minutes, seemingly straight from the heart and unrehearsed, Yzerman simply thanked others and repeatedly emphasized how lucky he was to have represented such a great organization. He said "grateful" over and over.

He's thoughtful and deliberate, and Canada could not have made a better choice. Nor could the Hockey Hall of Fame. Endearing himself to the Red Wings' faithful even more that evening, Yzerman appeared most overcome when thanking the fans, halting briefly and needing a sip of water before continuing. Several lengthy ovations brought a tear to his eye, too.

This is one superstar athlete who absolutely gets the connection with fans -- and he understands that many of the most dedicated are hyper-critical and driven to win. Some players and team officials don't appreciate that, resenting criticism from any corner, but in his speech, Yzerman acknowledged the Red Wings' rabid fan base for inspiring him. Then he went on to urge the Detroit fans to "keep demanding excellence."

Yzerman did put up with some brief criticism in Detroit, particularly as a young player whose offensive skills were obvious but who had not honed an all-around game. The Red Wings once came close to trading him, unthinkable as it sounds now. When Scotty Bowman came in and urged Yzerman to become a more selfless player, he did so, and that's when Detroit climbed into the upper level of the league and remained there for more than a decade. Yzerman became such a strong defensive player that he won the Selke Trophy in 2000; he was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 1998 as the MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

In 23 years in the league, Yzerman had his share of injuries and played through severe pain, like all hockey players, and he fought back from a few problems that might have ended others' careers. After participating in the Red Wings' 2002 Cup-winning campaign on a right knee that barely functioned, Yzerman had an osteotomy, a procedure rarely done on active athletes; Yzerman likened it to having his leg sawed in half and repositioned. Then, during the playoffs in 2004, Yzerman took a puck to the face and nearly lost the vision in his left eye. He didn't return for the rest of that run, but he did play one more season before retiring in 2006.

Now he's part of Detroit's front office, trying to fulfill those fan demands for excellence from that spot. Yzerman is also Team Canada's general manager, charged with one of the biggest task of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, selecting the players for the host country's national sport. He's thoughtful and deliberate, and Canada could not have made a better choice. Nor could the Hockey Hall of Fame.

One last note: a fellow sportswriter tells a story about once flying to Detroit to do a story on Yzerman, who was pleasant and helpful, if typically self-effacing.

Afterward, the reporter was standing in the parking lot at the Joe, waiting for a taxi that was late and getting anxious about missing his flight. Yzerman exited the building and asked him what he was doing. When the writer said he was waiting for a cab to go to the airport, Yzerman said, "Oh, that's no problem, I'll take you," and whisked him off to his flight.

That's not superstar behavior in the sense most of us know it; most superstar athletes have little but contempt for sportswriters. But it's superstar behavior as a person. Typical class from the Captain.

Congratulations, Stevie, for this latest honor in a career defined by excellence. It's a well-deserved moment for celebrating your personal achievements -- not that you ever would.