NICK
LIDSTROM
![[ Player Photo ]](Lidstrom.GIF) NO
5
D E F E N S E ASSISTANT 6'2" 190lbs Shoots Left Born: Vasteras, Sweden Last Amature Club: Vasteras (Sweden) Years Pro: 7 Acquired: 3 Choice, 53 Overall in 1989 Draft---------------------------------------------- |
Nicklas is the Red Wings' secret weapon. A silent superstar. He is one of the most underrated players in the NHL. Calm. Quiet. Levelheaded. Well mannered. Outstanding on defense and a surprising scorer. The Red Wigs rely on his exceptional performance on the power play or penalty kill. He led all defenseman in scoring last season with 59 points (17 goals-42 assists). He scored 6 goals in 22 post season games. He averaged more then 30 minutes ice time per game. He was named one of Sweden's top three players in the 1990 World Junior Championships. He played in the 1991 Canada Cup with Sweden and the 1991 and 1994 World Championships, helping Sweden win a gold medal in 1991. He made the All Rookie Team and was runner-up for the Calder Trophy. Among all NHL rookies, he ranked first in assists, first in pluse-minus and tied for third in scoring. He also set the Red Wing record for assists by a rookie defenseman. In 1995, Nicklas was second in scoring for the NHL playoffs and tied the club record for assist by a blueliner. He also scored his career best 67 points and played in hi first NHL All-Star Game. He was second on the team in the 1997 playoffs with +12 and scored a goal in the Stanley Clinching game. He scored 19 points (6 goals-13 assists) in the 1998 playoffs, including the game winning goal against Washington in game 1. Nicklas, his wife Annika and their 2 sons, return to Lidstrom's hometown of Vasteras, Sweden, where he enjoys tennis and golf in the off season. |