2011 NHL Awards: Detroit Red Wings' veteran Nicklas Lidstrom wins James Norris Trophy
Nicklas Lidstrom might be one of the most well known and experienced players in the National Hockey League (NHL), but his recent retiring rumours really saddened fans all around the world.
That situation changed as he was awarded the James Norris Trophy in the 2011 NHL Awards for being the best defenseman in the league on Wednesday at the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, along with agreeing to stay another year with Detroit
Red Wings.
It should not have been anything new to the past seven-time winner of the trophy, but he was surprised when he won it this time around, after nearly three years of winning his last back in 2008.
Being against defensemen like Shea Weber of Nashville Predators and especially Stanley Cup winner, Zdeno Chara of Boston Bruins, is truly intimidating.
"I was a little bit surprised", Lidstrom told NHL.com. "I thought it was going to be a tight race. I thought both (Shea) Weber and (Zdeno) Chara had great seasons too. Coming here, I wasn't sure at all that I was going to win it”.
It certainly was a tight race between three of the NHL’s top defenseman as the Professional Hockey Writers Association barely could make a decision.
Lindstrom received 35 votes, while Chara had 33 and Weber was a hairs length from tying Boston’s defenseman with 32.
This made the 41-year-old Swedish player all that humble in his acceptance speech on the stage.
"It is very humbling, especially reaching those two players that are up there in the tops of getting the Norris", Lidstrom said. "I'm very honoured and very proud to reach that level".
Lidstrom might not have had the best season of his 19-season career, but certainly played much better than anyone his age could have imagined.
He notched 62 points during the 2010-2011 season, including 16 goals and 46 assists in all 82 games.
Detroit Red Wings reached the playoffs as the third team in the Western Conference, but was eliminated by San Jose Sharks in the conference semifinals in seven games.
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