Red Wings hire team legend Yzerman as GM

Steve Yzerman is coming home to become general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, the franchise announced on Friday.

The hiring of the former Detroit star also marked the end of Ken Holland's 22-year stint as general manager. Holland signed a multiyear deal to become the club's senior vice president.

Yzerman, 53, spent his entire 22-year Hall of Fame playing career with the Red Wings. He served 20 years as team captain and scored 692 goals and 1,063 assists (1,755 points) during a 1,514-game career that ended in 2006.

Yzerman played on three Stanley Cup-winning teams in Detroit. Now he is taking over a team that has missed the playoffs in three straight seasons.

"I'm extremely excited to be back in Detroit with the Red Wings," Yzerman said during a press conference. "This city, Red Wing fans, the state of Michigan were incredibly supportive of me throughout the ups and downs of my playing career. I am very excited to return to the organization and join the Red Wings again and with our goal of getting the team back in contention for Stanley Cups and the championship that has come to be expected in Detroit."

Yzerman spent eight seasons as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning before stepping down prior to this season. Tampa Bay made the playoffs five times during his stint, and he was named the league's General Manager of the Year for the 2014-15 season.

Holland said he was fine with the decision to pass the GM duties off to Yzerman.

"I feel very, very fortunate that 22 years ago that (owners) Mr. and Mrs. Ilitch and my mentor Jim Devellano (former GM and long-time team executive) had the confidence in me to hire me as the Red Wings general manager," Holland said during the press conference. "It has been a privilege and an honor to be the general manager of the Red Wings. It's been a roller coaster ride at times, but the three Stanley Cup championships as general manager is something that I will treasure forever.

"It's time to look forward and today is a real exciting day for the fans of the Detroit Red Wings and for the Red Wing organization. Stevie is one of the greatest players that ever played in a Red Wing uniform."

Holland, 63, guided Detroit to 10 division crowns.

--Field Level Media