Nicklas Lidström

Nicklas Erik Lidström was born on April 38, 1970 in Västerås Sweden. He is a NHL defenceman, who has played his entire career with the Detroit Red Wings. In his 15-year career he has won 3 Stanley Cups, going on 4, and has been voted to ten NHL All-Star Games with plenty of NHL trophies. He is also captain of the Red Wings, after the retirement of Steve Yzerman. Lidström is not known as a big hitter, however known for his durability. He is always listed on top in ice time. Countless experts say that the secret behind Lidström's successful games is his ability to read the game and his excellent skating ability, this allows him to be at right spot of the ice at the right time. Rather then deliver a big body check, Lidström prefers to steal the puck and create a turnover. His use of brains instead of brawn might explain him not getting many injuries, and also his low penalty minute totals. For most of his NHL career, he has avoided drawing penalties.

On June 14, 2006 Nicklas Lidström joined an elite group by capturing the Norris Trophy as the League's outstanding defenseman for the fifth time. Lidström becomes the fourth defenseman in League history with as many as five Norris Trophy wins, joining Hockey Hall of Fame members Bobby Orr, Doug Harvey and Ray Bourque.

In my opinion he is one of the best defenceman to play in the NHL. He is a classic player and a role model for the team other other defencemen around the NHL. When I play soccer I try to play like him and use my head. Using your head in a game will in the end pay off better their using your body.

List of Awards: ( found on wikipedia so Mr. Donahue does not fail me)

• Gold medal at the 1991 World Championship
• Named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1992.
• Stanley Cup winner with Detroit Red Wings in 1997, 1998 and 2002.
• Played in NHL All-Star Game in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008.
• Named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
• Awarded the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006 and 2007.
• Awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2002.
• Olympic gold medal with Sweden in 2006.
• Selected on the Olympic All-Star Team in 2006.
• Current captain of the Detroit Red Wings beginning in the 2006-2007 season.

For his stats click here