September 26, 2006
BY HELENE ST. JAMES

Stevie sounds off

On his decision to retire: "Every time I go down to my basement and ride the stationary bike, or I come here and watch these guys skate, I know I made the right decision."

On anticipating his Jan. 2 jersey ceremony: "I think, really, I just have to show up."

On avoiding achieving the bulbous physique of fellow retiree Brett Hull: "I feel pretty good right now; we'll see six months from now. But I'm doing my best not to go in that direction."

On Nicklas Lidstrom as the next captain: "I think he'd be very suitable. He's a great representative for the organization."
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Steve Yzerman was at Joe Louis Arena for practice, and afterward headed for the Red Wings' locker room, naturally drifting toward his old locker.

But there was something different about Yzerman: Where for so long he'd have been in skates and hockey gear, he wore a sleek business suit, and instead of joining practice, he watched and thought about how he'd made the right decision to retire July 3, after playing for the Wings for 22 seasons.

It has been known for years that Yzerman, 41, would transition into a front-office job once he hung up his skates, but it wasn't until Monday that he acquired a new title, going from captain to vice president. Yzerman will work with general manager Ken Holland, assistant general manager Jim Nill and senior vice president Jim Devellano and learn all about the other side of the sport he loves.

"Really, for me it's initially going to be an education in how the business works and how the management side of running a team works," Yzerman said. "What I'll be doing is really spending time with Kenny and Jim Nill and Jimmy D. and observing how they operate, whether it be contract negotiations or player analysis -- just sitting in and listening in and watching hockey. I think I have some freedom as far as the business side of the organization to spend some time with them as well. So, initially, it's really going to be an education for me."

On his first day at his new job, Yzerman met in the morning with Holland, and then watched his old teammates skate hard, content to stay in the stands.

"I thought, you know, 'I think I made a good decision here,' " Yzerman said with a smile.

Yzerman no longer has the 'C' or his old locker. Instead he has a swanky title and a corner office.

"It's good to get back in the organization for him," defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom said. "I think it's going to be a big job for him. I'm happy for him."

Coach Mike Babcock joked about getting used to seeing Yzerman in a suit and pointed out that he didn't really need to find a new job.

"I think he's been an unbelievable player, and you can't be as good as he is without passion for the game," Babcock said. "He's not working in hockey because he needs the money. So, obviously, he has a burning desire to be here."

Yzerman, though, also has a desire to take things easy. Over the past month he has attended a Giants game in New York and was on hand to see Michigan demolish Notre Dame.

Retirement has its advantages.

"Life has slowed down a little bit," he said. "I've enjoyed that. The month of August, where guys are training hard and taking life real serious again, getting ready for the season, I was just kind of goofing off, which I kind of enjoyed. It's been a relaxing fall."