Yzerman Steps Aside, BriseBois Takes Over GM Role
By: Luke Finlay
I didn’t think I would write this article for at least 3 more years. Everyone is and was shocked when the news broke. Detroit Red Wings fans screamed from the streets, “He’s coming home to become the new General Manager!”. I think that is very unlikely.
Sure, he could go back to Detroit to be in a hockey-related role because he is indeed moving back there after this year, where it seems it is very likely he will leave after assuming a senior advisor role over Julien Brisebois, our newest general manager.
Speaking of Julien Brisebois, he is the perfect replacement for Steve Yzerman. He’s been in the hockey business for 17 years and has spent 10 years under Yzerman while being the general manager of the Syracuse Crunch/Norfolk Admirals, while also being the assistant general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He’s been under Yzerman’s wing ever since Yzerman was hired. We’re lucky to have him as he is a tremendous general manager candidate for any team looking for one. It turns out that we have him and hopefully, for a long time.
Yzerman and Jeff Vinik were swift in making it clear that this decision was purely based off family-related “issues”. Being the general manager of a team that is far away from Michigan- where his family resides- can take a toll on a person as Steve Yzerman lives here with his wife while his 3 children live in Michigan. As a general manager, you tend to travel a lot as it is, but imagine adding on extra miles to see your family, for 8 years.
In the 4 p.m. press conference, it looked to me as Steve Yzerman didn’t want to be a general manager of an NHL team for a while. Hockey has been Steve Yzerman’s life for at least 40+ years.
It’s sad to see him step down, even we knew this day would come anyway. However, we didn’t expect it to be this soon. Anyways, we have to respect his decision. Family is everything, and it definitely seems important to Steve Yzerman.
It feels like we’ve lost him even though he’s still with us. We appreciate you, Steve!