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May 31, 2012 | 03:32 PM
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Seven-time Norris Trophy winner Lidstrom retires
Thursday, 05.31.2012 / 11:06 AM / News
By Brian Hedger - NHL.com Correspondent
DETROIT -- It was hard to believe, even with Nicklas Lidstrom speaking the words himself.
The guy the Detroit Red Wings nicknamed "The Perfect Human" – their captain for the past six seasons and a sure lock for Hall of Fame status – is officially hanging up his winged-wheel sweater and retiring after 20 remarkable years in the Motor City.
"Retiring today allows me to walk away from the game with pride, rather than have the game walk away from me," Lidstrom said.
Lidstrom made the announcement Thursday during a press conference at Joe Louis Arena, an event attended by coach Mike Babcock, GM Ken Holland, Lidstrom's family and several current and former teammates from the Red Wings.
"This is one of the most emotional days in Red Wings history," said Detroit owner Mike Ilitch, who called Lidstrom the team's Rock of Gibraltar.
"I'm comfortable with my decision," Lidstrom said, noting his gas tank for playing was not on empty, but not where it needs to be. "I can't cheat myself."
Lidstrom helped the Red Wings win four Stanley Cups and seven times was awarded the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman.
Lidstrom, who turned 42 on April 28, played in a whopping 1,564 regular-season games in his NHL career to put him second behind only Gordie Howe on Detroit’s all-time list. He also piled up 1,142 points, fourth most in franchise history, by scoring 264 goals and adding 878 assists. His plus-450 career plus-minus rating ranks No. 8 in League history and nearly equals the paltry 514 minutes he spent in the penalty box.
Lidstrom's career numbers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs are just as impressive.
No other Red Wings player appeared in more postseason games (263), as he never missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He also scored 54 goals to go with 129 assists for a total of 183 career playoff points and finished with a sterling plus-61 rating.
Lidstrom also decided 11 postseason games with game-winning goals and became the first European-born player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy (2002) before becoming the first European to captain his team to a Stanley Cup title in 2008.
Lidstrom, who made 12 NHL All-Star Games and was voted a First-Team All-Star 10 times, also holds the NHL record for most games played by a player who spent his entire career with one franchise.
This past season, he also became just the sixth Detroit-based athlete in the four major North American professional sports to play at least 20 years all in the Motor City. Red Wings legends Alex Delvecchio (24) and Steve Yzerman (22), Detroit Tigers stars Al Kaline (21) and Alan Trammell (20) and Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson (20) are the others.
Not bad for a guy selected No. 53 in the 1989 NHL Draft by former Red Wings general manager Jimmy Devellano – who
spearheaded Detroit’s trend-setting European scouting push in the 1980s.
"I think he's going to go down as one of the all-time best defensemen ever to play," Yzerman told reporters in New York on Wednesday, when news first leaked out that Lidstrom would announce his retirement a day later. "Having played with him and watched him closely from his first game … people know about it now, but we've 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. He is a special athlete.
NHL PLAYERS' NICKLAS LIDSTROM TWEETS
Viktor Stalberg (@VStalberg)
Seems like it will be a bit easier to play vs the wings next year. What a career he's had! One of the all time greats #5
Cameron Fowler (@camfowler4)
I want to wish a happy retirement to Nick Lidstrom, my idol growing up and the classiest act in the game. What a great career
Michael Del Zotto (@MichaelDelZotto)
What a career for Lidstrom. Bobby Orr and him top 2 defenseman to play. #classact #morepatiencethanahospital
John Carlson (@JohnCarlson74)
Sad to see Nick Lidstrom retire. One of the games all time greats on and off the ice. A guy that everyone can learn from.
Steven Kampfer (@SteveKampfer47)
Hard to imagine watching the Red Wings without Lidstrom. Guy was my idol and still is as a player and person. #playedthegamethebestway
Thursday, 05.31.2012 / 11:06 AM / News
By Brian Hedger - NHL.com Correspondent
DETROIT -- It was hard to believe, even with Nicklas Lidstrom speaking the words himself.
The guy the Detroit Red Wings nicknamed "The Perfect Human" – their captain for the past six seasons and a sure lock for Hall of Fame status – is officially hanging up his winged-wheel sweater and retiring after 20 remarkable years in the Motor City.
"Retiring today allows me to walk away from the game with pride, rather than have the game walk away from me," Lidstrom said.
Lidstrom made the announcement Thursday during a press conference at Joe Louis Arena, an event attended by coach Mike Babcock, GM Ken Holland, Lidstrom's family and several current and former teammates from the Red Wings.
"This is one of the most emotional days in Red Wings history," said Detroit owner Mike Ilitch, who called Lidstrom the team's Rock of Gibraltar.
"I'm comfortable with my decision," Lidstrom said, noting his gas tank for playing was not on empty, but not where it needs to be. "I can't cheat myself."
Lidstrom helped the Red Wings win four Stanley Cups and seven times was awarded the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman.
Lidstrom, who turned 42 on April 28, played in a whopping 1,564 regular-season games in his NHL career to put him second behind only Gordie Howe on Detroit’s all-time list. He also piled up 1,142 points, fourth most in franchise history, by scoring 264 goals and adding 878 assists. His plus-450 career plus-minus rating ranks No. 8 in League history and nearly equals the paltry 514 minutes he spent in the penalty box.
Lidstrom's career numbers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs are just as impressive.
No other Red Wings player appeared in more postseason games (263), as he never missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He also scored 54 goals to go with 129 assists for a total of 183 career playoff points and finished with a sterling plus-61 rating.
Lidstrom also decided 11 postseason games with game-winning goals and became the first European-born player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy (2002) before becoming the first European to captain his team to a Stanley Cup title in 2008.
Lidstrom, who made 12 NHL All-Star Games and was voted a First-Team All-Star 10 times, also holds the NHL record for most games played by a player who spent his entire career with one franchise.
This past season, he also became just the sixth Detroit-based athlete in the four major North American professional sports to play at least 20 years all in the Motor City. Red Wings legends Alex Delvecchio (24) and Steve Yzerman (22), Detroit Tigers stars Al Kaline (21) and Alan Trammell (20) and Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson (20) are the others.
Not bad for a guy selected No. 53 in the 1989 NHL Draft by former Red Wings general manager Jimmy Devellano – who
spearheaded Detroit’s trend-setting European scouting push in the 1980s.
"I think he's going to go down as one of the all-time best defensemen ever to play," Yzerman told reporters in New York on Wednesday, when news first leaked out that Lidstrom would announce his retirement a day later. "Having played with him and watched him closely from his first game … people know about it now, but we've 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. He is a special athlete.
NHL PLAYERS' NICKLAS LIDSTROM TWEETS
Viktor Stalberg (@VStalberg)
Seems like it will be a bit easier to play vs the wings next year. What a career he's had! One of the all time greats #5
Cameron Fowler (@camfowler4)
I want to wish a happy retirement to Nick Lidstrom, my idol growing up and the classiest act in the game. What a great career
Michael Del Zotto (@MichaelDelZotto)
What a career for Lidstrom. Bobby Orr and him top 2 defenseman to play. #classact #morepatiencethanahospital
John Carlson (@JohnCarlson74)
Sad to see Nick Lidstrom retire. One of the games all time greats on and off the ice. A guy that everyone can learn from.
Steven Kampfer (@SteveKampfer47)
Hard to imagine watching the Red Wings without Lidstrom. Guy was my idol and still is as a player and person. #playedthegamethebestway