Red Wings Defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom Retires From the NHL
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Christian Petersen/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — For 20 seasons, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom had been considered the best, if not one of the best at his position in the NHL. At age 42, Lidstrom has decided to hang up the skates and retire from hockey.
Lidstrom’s career achievements are hard to ignore. During his time in Detroit, he won four Stanley Cups and also racked up seven Norris Trophies. In 1,564 regular season games played, Lidstrom recorded 264 goals and 878 assists. He also played in 263 playoff games and compiled 183 points over that span.
“Having played with him and watched him closely from his first game in the NHL, people know about it now and we said it all along, you have to watch him closely to appreciate how good he is, what a great athlete he is, because he makes the position look so easy,” said Steve Yzerman, Tampa Bay Lightning general manager and former Red Wings teammate of Lidstrom. “He is a special athlete.”
The Red Wings selected Lidstrom with the 53rd overall pick in the 1989 NHL Draft. This past season, he missed a career high 11 games with an ankle injury.
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