They're retiring Steve Yzerman's jersey in Detroit right now. There's not a lot of empirical evidence I can put up, but I know from having watched him my whole life and having heard how older and wiser family members spoke of him, that he is without a doubt one of the greatest dudes. He's got the skill, the smarts, the heart, the leadership, the grace, the humility and the completely ridiculous pain threshold of a, well, a champion. This is excellence.

There's not a lot I can add, but I will say that it is thrilling that Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay are both there. And as much as Probert is an unmitigated schmuck (speaking of which, more on Vernon another time), it was remarkable to see him helping Konstantinov up the red carpet (he's using a walker, but, from how wobbly he looks, I think he must still be in a chair most of the time).

Anyway, hats off to Stevie Y. No more 19s in Motor City.

Other hockey notes:

- Over Christmas, I caught one full Flames game on Sportsnet-West and learned that a girl from elementary school works for Flames TV.
- Our anthem singer is pregnant, I have concluded. I wonder how much mat. leave anthem singers get, because—no bias here—our anthem singer is the best one.
- Tomorrow is telework day, which, lucky me, coincides with the quarterfinal Canada–US World Juniors game. Fun!