Henrik Zetterberg

Henrik Zetterberg (born 9 October 1980) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey centre. He played parts of 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played his entire NHL career for the Detroit Red Wings. Outside from the NHL, Zetterberg also played for Timrå IK of the Elitserien and EV Zug of the National League A (NLA).

Zetterberg is a one-time Stanley Cup champion, winning with the Red Wings in 2008. Zetterberg is also an two-time All-Star, being named one in 2007 and 2008. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2008 and won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2015. Internationally, Zetterberg played for Sweden, winning a gold medal in 2006 and a silver medal at the 2014.

Career
Before playing in the NHL, Zetterberg played parts of two seasons with Timrå IK of the Elitserien. He had a successful time with Timrå. He finished his rookie season scoring 15 goals and recording 31 assists for 46 points in 47 games. He was named the Rookie of the Year for his efforts. The next season, he was named to the All-Star team and won the Guldpucken for being the Swedish play of the year.

He was drafted 210th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1999 NHL entry draft. On 10 October 2002, he made his NHL debut in a 6–3 win against the San Jose Sharks. During the game, Zetterberg also recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a Sergei Fedorov goal. On 13 October, Zetterberg scored his first NHL goal against Jean-Sébastien Giguère in a 4–2 win to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He finished his rookie season by scoring 22 goals and recording 22 assists for 44 points. He was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. On 5 November 2003, Zetterberg suffered a broken leg during a game against the Vancouver Canucks and missed some playing time. After the NHL entered into a lockout,Zetterberg decided to travel back to Sweden and return to play for Timrå IK of the Elitserien. During his season back, Zetterberg scored 19 goals and recorded 31 assists for 50 points in 50 games. It was the highest in the league that season. He returned to the Red Wings after the lockout ended. On September 7, 2005, Zetterberg signed a four-year, $10.6 million contract to stay with the Red Wings. Zetterberg was selected to play in the All-Star Game but was unable to because he was dealing with an injured wrist at the time and was replaced by Andy McDonald of the Anaheim Ducks. He helped the Red Wings when they went on a 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. Zetterberg scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal for the Red Wings and was also awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for being the most valuable player in the playoffs.

On 28 January 2009, Zetterberg signed a massive twelve-year, $73 million contract to stay with the Red Wings. The contract was the largest in both length and salary in Red Wings franchise history. He helped the Red Wings as they continued their success from last season and went on another run in the playoffs. They defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets, Anaheim Ducks, and Chicago Blackhawks. They were defeated by their finals opponent from last season, the Pittsburgh Penguins four games to three in the Final. After the NHL entered into another lockout, Zetterberg headed to Switzerland and signed a contract to play for EV Zug of the National League A (NLA). He scored 16 goals and recorded 16 assists for 32 points in 23 games for Zug and returned to the Red Wings after the lockout ended. On 15 January 2013, the Red Wings announced Zetterberg as their new captain. On 9 April 2017, Zetterberg played in his 1,000 NHL game.

On 14 September 2018, Red Wings general manager Ken Holland announced that Zetterberg was unable to play professional ice hockey again because of a degenerative back condition. Zetterberg never played another game again but continued to stay and not didn't retire until his contract expired.

References

 Other websites 

Category:1980 births
Category:Living people
Category:Conn Smythe Trophy winners
Category:Detroit Red Wings players
Category:King Clancy Memorial Trophy winners
Category:Medalists at the 2006 Winter Olympics
Category:Medalists at the 2014 Winter Olympics
Category:Olympic gold medalists for Sweden
Category:Olympic silver medalists for Sweden
Category:Stanley Cup champions
Category:Swedish ice hockey centres