Committment to Excellence

My favourite hockey player of all time, Steve Yzerman, was justly honoured in Detroit last night as his number was retired.

True to his nature, Yzerman used the greater part of his speech to heap praise on those with whom he played, as well as his coaches and a great team owner. There was precious little about "Steve".

How refreshing in a era of "it's all about me" super-star super-jerks. In his entire career, I can't ever remember Yzerman show-boating, shooting off his mouth, or bad-mouthing his team mates when things weren't going well. He played through injuries when it mattered, and he was always available to politely sign autographs and speak with kids. He spent his entire career with one team, and remained loyal to the Ilitch family, recognizing how well he has been treated. I believe he recognized "enough" when it came to money, and looked at the big picture. He certainly could have commanded higher figures if he had played the field at contract time. He never did that.

Above all, what makes him the greatest in my book is not his stats. Although they are impressive, there are others who have done a bit better in almost every category. What made him the best in my book was his committment to excellence every single day of his career, and the pure class he displayed from the moment he entered the league as an 18 year old boy. He obviously grew up in a great home.

A committment to excellence, demanding nothing but the best from both himself and his teammates, a selfless focus on "the team" rather than "me", and a loyal appreciation for what he already had, rather than a selfish quest for "more" are all what made, and continue to make Steve Yzerman an exceptional professional in my book.

Those qualities are not a bad place to start when it comes to running a government either. Acceptance of mediocrity with excuses for individual failings have become all too commonplace. "Equality" is sought by social activists who attack those who have embraced and achieved excellence rather than looking for ways to bring the overall average up to a higher level. The team only wins when it performs at a level that other teams cannot match when it counts. Canada exists in a very competitive world.

Congratulations Steve Yzerman. You are a true hero in every sense of the word. Would that this world had a lot more Steve Yzermans. It would be a much better place.