Steve Aizerman is a heroic athlete, a talented hockey player, smart and responsive person. Captain Red Wings became a key player in the three Stanley Cup championships and has been the pivot of the Detroit hockey dynasty for 20 years.
His name was placed on the honorary plaque in the NHL Hall of Fame. He won the title of NHL All-Star ten times. Winner of Conn Smythe in 1998. During his career, he scored 692 goals. After his retirement, he was appointed general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning Club in 2010. In 2015, Steve won the title “General Manager of the Year” for his team’s victory in the Stanley Cup final.
Steve Aiserman: biography
Born in Cranbrook (British Columbia, Canada) on May 9, 1965. He started playing hockey at the age of seven. His father faithfully served the Canadian government. Mother worked as a simple nanny-nurse, but did not forget about the upbringing of her five children. In 1974, Steve Aizerman (his family moved to Nipen, Ontario) became a member of the local Nipen Raiders hockey team. The trainer, Elwood Johnson, called him “a great player,” thanks to which they won nine direct tournaments and the Pivia Ontario championship.
At the age of sixteen, Steve joined the Peterborough Pits team in Ontario. In 1981-1982, he scored 21 goals and made 43 assists. The following season, he doubled the number of goals to 42. After two years of playing in the junior league, he joined the Red Wings team in 1983.
Young sensation
In October 1983, Steve Aiserman began playing in the NHL. In the match against the Winnireg Jets he scored a goal and made several assists. Over the season, he scored 87 points, more than any other rookie. Therefore, he easily won the title “Rookie of the Year” and took second place at the Calder Trophy. Steve’s dazzling game helped Red Wings enter the playoffs for the first time in 6 years.
In 1984-1985, Aizerman played in all 80 games and scored 80 points. He again led his team into the playoffs, where he scores 2 goals in three games. In the 1985-1986 season, he is injured - a collarbone fracture. Nevertheless, he manages to score a decent amount of points. Without his participation, the Red Wings could not reach the playoffs.
Brilliant career
In 1986, in recognition of Steve's leadership, he was appointed captain of the Red Wings team (when he was only 21 years old). In the 1986-1987 season he plays at full strength, scoring 31 goals and making 59 assists. A knee injury sustained on March 1, 1988 reduced his involvement in the 1987-1988 season.
In 1988-1989, Steve Aiserman scored 65 points. He brings his team to the Power Play tournament and playoffs. For impressive performance, he is awarded the Leicester Pearson Award as the main performer of the NHL.
He showed brilliant results in the next season, scoring 62 goals. Hockey fans voted for him in the annual poll as "player of the year." In 1993-1994, Aizerman was injured again and missed 26 games. But, in total, he manages to score 82 points. At the end of February 1994, he won the title “Player of the Week”, scoring 10 goals in four matches. By the end of the season, the Red Wings win the title of NHL Central Division.
In 1994-1995, Steve helped the team win the Clarence Campbell Bowl Championship. In January 1996, Aizerman scored his 500th goal. In the playoffs, he scored 20 points in eighteen games.
Stanley Cup Champion
One of the most important hockey periods for Steve was the 1996-1997 season. Together with his team, he wins the Stanley Cup, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers. In 1998, defeating the Washington Capitals, he again becomes the Stanley Cup champion, and also wins the Conn Smythe Trophy award.
In 1998-1999, the Red Wings again won the title of "Central Division of the NHL." Aizerman helps the team get into the 2nd round of the playoffs. At the end of November 1999, he scored his 600th goal.
The 2001-2002 season was also noteworthy for Steve. He wins the third Stanley Cup (10 in Red Wings history). Over the years, the athlete’s knees were hit, and therefore, playing for the Canadian national team in the 2002 Winter Olympics, he again suffers serious injuries. Taking part in the regular seasons and in the playoffs, Steve Aizerman (photo above) was forced to endure severe pain. Even his rivals admired his irresistible character and will to win.
Retirement
On August 2, 2002, he undergoes a very complicated operation, after which the doctors did not believe that he could even walk. But Steve surprised them by returning to the ice at the end of February 2003, perfectly demonstrating himself in cruel training and serious games.
In July 2006 (after 20 years in the NHL), Steve Aizerman announced his resignation. Soon he took office as vice president of Red Wings. Three years later, his team won the Stanley Cup. During 2007-2008, Steve served as CEO of Canada at the World Championships.
In 2010, he became the head of the Canadian Hockey Men's Team at the Winter Olympics. His team wins a gold medal. In May 2010, he was appointed general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning team. In 2015, he receives the NHL Manager of the Year award for winning a Stanley Cup at his club.