By AJ Petronzi
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After 20 seasons in the NHL, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, one of the best players to ever play the game of hockey, announced his retirement today at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI. "Today, after 20 seasons as a player, I am announcing my retirement," stated Lidstrom from the Olympia Club inside Joe Louis.
Lidstrom started his career with the Red Wings in 1991-1992 and would go on to play 1564 games, all with Detroit. In that time he amassed 264 goals and 878 assists totaling 1142 points. He also finishes his career with a +450 rating and 514 penalty minutes, 132 power play goals, 10 shorthanded goals and 3875 shots on goal. Adding to those totals are 54 goals and 183 points in 263 playoff games.
During his playing career, Lidstrom amassed four Stanley Cups, seven Norris Trophies, one World Championship and one Olympic Gold Medal. He is a member of the “Triple Gold Club,” an exclusive list of NHL players to have won a Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold and World Championship. Lidstrom was nominated for the Norris Trophy 12 times over his final 14 seasons, winning his seven trophies over a period of nine seasons. He was the first European born Captain of an NHL team to hoist the Stanley Cup. His nickname is the dressing room was Mr. Perfect or the Perfect Human. This name came in part because of his amazing skills on the ice, but also because the Red Wings played only 46 games without Lidstrom over the course of his career.
For diehard Red Wings fans, today will likely serve as a triple whammy. With Lidstrom retiring, it becomes almost a certainty that Lidstrom’s best friend Tomas Holmstrom will also retire. Holmstrom has been almost as un-separable from Lidstrom as the Norris Trophy over their careers. Lidstrom, along with Holmstrom, were the only remaining players from the 1996-1998 Red Wings which broke the franchises’ 42 year Stanley Cup drought and then became the last team to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions. It marks the end of an era in Detroit Sports. Their departure will leave Pavel Datsyuk as the only remaining Red Wing from a pre-salary cap Stanley Cup Team.
Lidstrom’s retirement also sets up an interesting 2015 Hockey Hall of Fame draft class as other potential retiring NHL players this spring include NHL Legends Teemu Selanne and Martin Brodeur.
In Play on Facebook
After 20 seasons in the NHL, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, one of the best players to ever play the game of hockey, announced his retirement today at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI. "Today, after 20 seasons as a player, I am announcing my retirement," stated Lidstrom from the Olympia Club inside Joe Louis.
Lidstrom started his career with the Red Wings in 1991-1992 and would go on to play 1564 games, all with Detroit. In that time he amassed 264 goals and 878 assists totaling 1142 points. He also finishes his career with a +450 rating and 514 penalty minutes, 132 power play goals, 10 shorthanded goals and 3875 shots on goal. Adding to those totals are 54 goals and 183 points in 263 playoff games.
During his playing career, Lidstrom amassed four Stanley Cups, seven Norris Trophies, one World Championship and one Olympic Gold Medal. He is a member of the “Triple Gold Club,” an exclusive list of NHL players to have won a Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold and World Championship. Lidstrom was nominated for the Norris Trophy 12 times over his final 14 seasons, winning his seven trophies over a period of nine seasons. He was the first European born Captain of an NHL team to hoist the Stanley Cup. His nickname is the dressing room was Mr. Perfect or the Perfect Human. This name came in part because of his amazing skills on the ice, but also because the Red Wings played only 46 games without Lidstrom over the course of his career.
For diehard Red Wings fans, today will likely serve as a triple whammy. With Lidstrom retiring, it becomes almost a certainty that Lidstrom’s best friend Tomas Holmstrom will also retire. Holmstrom has been almost as un-separable from Lidstrom as the Norris Trophy over their careers. Lidstrom, along with Holmstrom, were the only remaining players from the 1996-1998 Red Wings which broke the franchises’ 42 year Stanley Cup drought and then became the last team to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions. It marks the end of an era in Detroit Sports. Their departure will leave Pavel Datsyuk as the only remaining Red Wing from a pre-salary cap Stanley Cup Team.
Lidstrom’s retirement also sets up an interesting 2015 Hockey Hall of Fame draft class as other potential retiring NHL players this spring include NHL Legends Teemu Selanne and Martin Brodeur.
