Today, Steve Yzerman retired. In my opinion he was the best player to ever put on a pair of skates and pick up a hockey stick.

I remember growing up watching Yzerman and seeing something in him that other hockey players didn't seem to have and that is what I strived to do as a hockey player and in life. The class and leadership that Yzerman showed both on and off the ice make him a perfect role model and I will miss watching him on get the job done on the ice.

I was fortunate to see his last game in the NHL against the Oilers and you can bet that the ticket stubs  and programs will be framed and added to my Steve Yzerman memorabilia collection. Watching Yzerman skate off the ice and fade away into the visitors tunnel after they had just been beaten by the Oilers is an image that will stick with me until the day I die: