Steve Yzerman on Detroit Red Wings' 1997 triumph: 'I didn’t want the game to end'

Twenty-four years ago today, the decades-long wait ended for the Detroit Red Wings and their fans. On June 7, 1997, at Joe Louis Arena, the Wings completed their four-game sweep of the Flyers, 2-1, and kicked off the Hockeytown dynasty of four championships in 11 seasons. The Free Press’ new book — “Stanleytown: 25 Years Later” — tells the behind-the-scenes stories of the Stanley Cup’s return to Detroit, including The Captain’s dream finally coming true on a wild Saturday night in the Motor City. An excerpt from the book:

What Steve Yzerman said the night the Red Wings won the 1997 Stanley Cup: “I was glad when the game was over, but then I didn’t want the game to end.

“I’ve been watching hockey since I was five years old. I always dreamed of the day I would get the Stanley Cup. Sometimes I wondered if I would ever get there. As the game went on, it almost was if I wanted to sit back and watch it.”

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On winning the Cup: “It was the one thing in my career I didn’t have. I wanted dearly to have my name on the Stanley Cup before I retired.

“It’s been a wonderful final. It’s been incredibly exhilarating. …

“There’s the Stanley Cup champion and everybody else. When you have a good team for two or three years and don’t win, you’re not considered a great team but an underachiever.”

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On skating with the Cup after the game: “I would have preferred to go with everybody in the beginning. I wanted to go as one big group.

“As I went about halfway around, I thought, ‘This thing is getting heavy.’ My arm about fell off. I was looking for my parents and my wife and a friend in the corner. I wanted to make sure I saw them as I was carrying it around the rink. I just tried to take it all in. … I wasn’t aware of any noise.

“It was the greatest moment in my career, the most gratifying and the most rewarding. … Obviously, at the end when we piled behind the net was the greatest moment. Being on the ice when the game ends is awesome.”

On passing the Cup to Slava Fetisov, who held it with Igor Larionov: “The last couple of days I thought who I wanted to give the Cup to. I thought about Slava. He and Igor, what they stand for, are good examples for younger players.

“He has been through a lot in his career. If he’s not coming back, this is the ultimate. … All five Russian players were significant players and great guys.”