Nicklas Lidström

Erik Nicklas Lidström (born 28 April 1970) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey defenceman. He currently works as vice president of hockey operations for the Detroit Red Wings. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played his entire NHL career for the Detroit Red Wings. Outside from the NHL, Lidström also played for Västerås IK of the Elitserien.

Lidström is a four-time Stanley Cup champion, winning with the Red Wings in 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008. He is also a twelve-time All-Star, a seven-time winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy, and a one-time Conn Smythe Trophy winner. Internationally, Lidström played for Sweden, winning a gold medal in 2006. On 9 November 2015, Lidström was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He was also ranked as one "100 Greatest NHL Players".

Career
Before playing in the NHL, Lidström played parts of three seasons with Västerås IK of the Elitserien. He had a successful time with Västerås.

He was drafted 53rd overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1989 NHL entry draft. On 3 October 1991, he made his NHL debut in a 3–3 overtime tie against the Chicago Blackhawks. During the game, Zetterberg also recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a Sergei Fedorov goal. Two days later on 5 October, he recorded his first two points in the NHL, assisting on Jimmy Carson and Steve Yzerman goals in a 8–3 loss against Toronto Maple Leafs. On 17 October, Lidström scored his first NHL goal against Vincent Riendeau in a 6–3 win to the St. Louis Blues. He finished his rookie season by scoring 11 goals and recording 49 assists for 60 points. He was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. Lidström finished the 1995–96 season scoring 15 points and recording 42 assists for 57 points and was named to his first All-Star game. He helped the Red Wings when they went on a run in the playoffs. They defeated the St. Louis Blues, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and Colorado Avalanche. They went on to defeat and sweep the Philadelphia Flyers four games to zero in the Final to win the Stanley Cup. The team continued their success the next season as they went on another run in the playoffs. They defeated the Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, and Dallas Stars. They went on to defeat and sweep the Washington Capitals four games to zero in the Final to win their second straight back-to-back Stanley Cups. Lidström was also named to his second All-Star game that season. He finished the next season by scoring 14 goals and recording 43 assists for 57 points and was named to his third straight All-Star game.

He was named to his fourth All-Star selection the next season. He finished the next season by scoring 15 goals and recording 56 assists for 71 points. He was awarded the James Norris Memorial Trophy for his efforts and was named to his fourth straight All-Star game. The team went on another run in the playoffs. They defeated the Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, and Colorado Avalanche. They went on to defeat and sweep the Carolina Hurricanes four games to one in the Final to win the Stanley Cup. Lidström was also awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for being the most valuable player during the playoffs. He became the first European player to win the trophy. On 7 December 2001, Lidström signed a two-year, $10 million to stay with the Red Wings. The next season, he won his second James Norris Memorial Trophy and was named to his seventh All-Star game. He was selected for another All-Star game the next season. On 29 February 2004, Lidström played in his 1,000 NHL game in a 4–2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers. On 3 April, Lidström signed a two-year, $20 million to stay with the Red Wings. During the 2005–06 season, he was named to NHL First All-Star Team and won another James Norris Memorial Trophy. On 30 June 2006, Lidström signed a two-year, $15.2 million to stay with the Red Wings. On 5 October, the Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman retired and the team named Lidström as their new captain. He became the first European captain in in Red Wings franchise history. He was once again awarded the James Norris Memorial Trophy and was named to another All-Star game. The team went on another run in the playoffs. They defeated the Nashville Predators, Colorado Avalanche, and Dallas Stars. They went on to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins four games to two in the Final to win the Stanley Cup. Lidström became the first European-born captain to win the Stanley Cup.

On 31 May 2012, Lidström announced that he was retiring form playing professional ice hockey. On 6 March 2014, the Red Wings retired Lidström's jersey number #5. On 9 November 2015, Lidström was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

References

 Other websites 

Category:1970 births
Category:Living people
Category:Conn Smythe Trophy winners
Category:Detroit Red Wings players
Category:Hockey Hall of Fame inductees
Category:James Norris Memorial Trophy winners
Category:Medalists at the 2006 Winter Olympics
Category:Olympic gold medalists for Sweden
Category:Stanley Cup champions
Category:Swedish ice hockey defencemen