Mark April 19, 2019, as the date No. 19 returned to Detroit.
Steve Yzerman, who played in 1,514 games in a Red Wings uniform over 22 seasons, was introduced as Detroit's new general manager and executive vice president Friday afternoon. Yzerman won three Stanley Cups with Detroit as a player and one more as a member of the team's front office.
"Coming back, obviously I have close ties to the Ilitch family, the Red Wing organization, to the city, I know a lot of people here," the former Red Wings captain said at his introductory press conference. "I know the organization, I know what the Ilitch family expects and then in my conversations with Chris [Ilitch] over the past couple of weeks about the organization... I was very comfortable and excited to have the opportunity to come back."
4️⃣ / 1️⃣9️⃣ / 1️⃣9️⃣ pic.twitter.com/6ejKR10fSu
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 19, 2019
“Steve has produced tremendous results as a general manager in the National Hockey League, as well as an executive in international competition," said Red Wings governor, president and CEO Christopher Ilitch. "He is a smart, driven, competitive and determined executive with outstanding leadership skills, as demonstrated both over his playing and management careers."
Yzerman spent the last nine seasons in the Tampa Bay Lightning's front office, including eight as general manager. He stepped down from that role after the 2017-18 season but stayed on in an advisory role the following year.
"This has been an extremely successful franchise throughout the ownership of the Ilitch family," Yzerman said. "For me, one was coming back to Detroit and coming back to the organization but working with this group of people, there was no hesitation."
"This city, #RedWings fans, the State of Michigan, were incredibly supportive of me throughout the ups and downs of my playing career. I'm very excited to return to the organization." pic.twitter.com/6DMm2iIHpY
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 19, 2019
The 2015 NHL General Manager of the Year, Yzerman said leading a team to a Stanley Cup has been his only goal since becoming a GM.
"My goal when I left [Detroit] was 'I want to win a Stanley Cup. I want to run a good organization, ultimately I want to win a Stanley Cup," he said.