A Great Hand
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Now, I’m not going to go all crazy like I did when Steve Yzerman retired. However, I appreciate what Shanny has done for the team and he was a key component to our 3 Cup wins (particularly the first two). The day Yzerman retired, I bought an 11×14 photograph of Shanny and Yzie with their gold medals from 2002 signed by both of them. Little did I know that Shanny would actually be leaving too…
This tribute post will include video and audio clips, quotes, and Wings fan reactions. To read more about Shanny signing with the Rangers, visit my other post here.
Video Clips
Shanny breaks Adam Foote’s nose.
Shanny fight against Sean Avery…
A fun Shanny and Federov commercial…
March 26th, 1997
And don’t forget Shanny’s part in the Statue of Liberty Roy move and goal.
Audio
Courtesy of Matt at On the Wings, the Irish Jig.
Quotes
Words from the mouth of Brendan Shanahan…
“I don’t understand why I can’t hit that ball. I mean it’s this big, slow, ball & I just can’t hit the thing. Maybe if I could run the bases with the bat in my hand I would enjoy it more. I could hit players as I go by, you know just a little cuff in the chin & maybe catch the next guy behind the ear.” - Shanny on softball
“Watching a shootout is like admitting you watch Survivor or search the internet for porn.”
“Lunch is on me” - Brendan Shanahan after signing a $26 million contract
“Over the years, Steve has come to understand I need the clicker. He says it’s my security blanket.”
“You know, there’s nothing better than making yourself dinner and watching Thursday night TV. Also, I just got a computer. And I’m fanatical about doing the laundry. There’s nothing better than a stack of fresh, clean clothes. Except maybe a good movie. You know that creepy-looking guy you stare at two seats behind you, thinking who would come to a movie by himself? That’s me.”
Brendan Shanahan said to the Detroit fans after winning the Stanley Cup: “When I asked for a trade at the beginning of the year, I said I was looking for a home. And I found one. I’m just grateful to everyone here. Thank you for accepting me.”
“I usually call the new guy and let him know where I like to sit on the bus, tell him ways he can stay out of my way, make sure he knows not to touch any of my stuff.”
The day after getting 40 stitches over his right eye because of a body-check from behind by Peter Forsberg, journalists ask the Red Wings winger if he plans on wearing a visor to protect his eyes: “No I won’t. Don Cherry will be happy but my wife will be ticked off.” - May 8, 1999
“I think that pressure is part of pro sports. It’s better to face pressure than to not face it at all. You have to have that kind of mentality to be a professional athlete. That is what we are trained to do. I think to a man we all know that everybody is responsible for the success.”
The Blues spent the week on a working vacation in Florida. Much more vacation than work, except for Brendan Shanahan, who was arrested on a minor charge after a bar scuffle. Shanahan may get the line of the year for his quote “They told me to come down here and get myself all rested. I misunderstood and thought they said get myself arrested.” - March 1995
And don’t forget Shanny’s impact in the 2002 playoff series versus Vancouver.
There is a story about the 2002 playoffs that has become a staple of all tributes to Yzerman. In the first round against Vancouver, the Wings lost the first two games at home. Then Yzerman gave a speech, the team won four straight and went on to win the Stanley Cup.
It is the stuff of Disney movies. But Yzerman was never a Disney-movie kind of leader, and he barely remembers the speech. When Brendan Shanahan asked Yzerman if he would address the team before Game 3, Yzerman replied, “I don’t think so.”
“And he said, `Maybe you should say something,’ ” Yzerman recalled. ” `OK, I guess so.’ What effect it has on players, I really don’t know.”
