It was a tight race between Buffalo Sabres goaltender Tom Barrasso and Steve Yzerman of the Detroit Red Wings for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in 1983-84. Also in the running were Sylvain Turgeon, Dave Poulin, Allan Bester and Bryan Erickson, all a healthy distance behind.
After being drafted fourth overall at the 1983 NHL Entry Draft out of the Peterborough Petes, Yzerman jumped right to the NHL for that 1983-84 NHL season. Playing the full 80 game schedule for the Detroit Red Wings, Stevie-Y scored 39 goals and assisted on 48 for 87 points to lead the team. The Wings team was full of veterans to mentor Yzerman, including Ivan Boldirev, Ron Duguay, Danny Gare and Brad Park.
Of course, Yzerman went on to a Hockey Hall of Fame NHL career, as did Tom Barrasso. Between 1983-84 and 2005-06, Steve played 1,514 regular season and 196 playoff games in the National Hockey League, all with the Red Wings. The three time Stanley Cup winner topped the 100 point plateau in six consecutive seasons, putting up a career best 155 in 1988-89 on 65 goals and 90 assists.
Yzerman was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 1997-98, contributing 24 points in 22 playoff games and helped the Wings to their second consecutive Stanley Cup title. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009, two years after his jersey number 19 was retired by the Red Wings.