Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom's legacy comes to an end with retirement -NHL Update
In confirmation with rumours spreading about this past National Hockey League (NHL) regular season having been his last, one of the most celebrated defenseman in Detroit Red Wings history, Nicklas Lidstrom announced his retirement from the sport on Thursday,
May 31, 2012.
Lidstrom leaves behind an amazing 20 year legacy in the NHL that many defensemen will be looking to match in the upcoming years as he will definitely be known as one of the best to have ever graced the sport.
For the four-time Stanley Cup winner and seven-time Norris Trophy holder, there was just not enough to keep him going in the league with the same level of dedication.
"My drive and motivation are not where they to need to be to play at this level," Lidstrom said with watery eyes.
"Retiring today allows me to walk away from the game with pride, rather than have the game walk away from me," Lidstrom said during a press conference at the Joe Louis Arena.
The 42-year-old was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings as the 53rd overall pick during round-three of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. Having spent all 20 seasons with his original draft team, Nicklas Lidstrom definitely has left the city of Detroit in
shock.
He has 1,564 games under his belt along with 1,142 points (264 goals, 878 assists).
Head coach, Mike Babcock, along with general manager, Ken Holland, were also present by his side and were also truly saddened at his decision to retire.
"Seven Norris Trophies, that's not by accident," Babcock said. "He's just that good. We're going to miss having him. Someone else is going to get an opportunity, but you're not replacing Nick Lidstrom. That just doesn't happen.”
Holland also added that he had always “dreaded” that this day would come at one point or another ever since he joined the club as the GM back in 1997.
It is not clear yet whether Lidstrom has decided to take a position in the Red Wings front office or not be involved in the sport of hockey at all.
His one-year contract with Detroit Red Wings worth $6.2 million is set to come to an end on July 1.
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