Yzerman Returns for 22nd Season

The last image of Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman in an NHL game will not be of a man writhing in pain, being helped off the ice while bleeding from one eye, the result of a slap shot deflected into his cheek bone.

Yzerman signed a one-year contract with the Red Wings on Tuesday, extending his career into a 22nd season, his 20th as captain of the team. As per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced, but the offer that Detroit general manager Ken Holland made to him last week was reportedly worth $1.5 to $2 million.

“I’m very pleased to have Steve re-sign for another season with the Red Wings,” Holland said while announcing the signing. “I’m confident that he has a lot of great hockey left to play.”

Yzerman ranks sixth in NHL all-time regular season scoring and helped lead the Red Wings to Stanley Cup Championships in 1997, 1998 and 2002. He is the longest-tenured team captain in league history.