Nicklas Lidstrom
Nicklas Lidstrom is a National Hockey League (NHL) defenseman and team captain for the Detroit Red Wings. Born in Vasteras, Sweden, Lidstrom has been a mainstay with the Red Wings, playing seventeen seasons with them. He has won the Norris Trophy (awarded to the best defenseman in the NHL) 5 of the last 6 seasons.
Career
Lidstrom was drafted in the third round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. He began his NHL career in 1991 after playing several years in the Swedish leagues. He made the jump to the Red Wings having never played in the AHL, considered the NHL’s “minor leagues.” Lidstrom enjoyed his best statistical season in 2005-2006, amassing 16 goals and 64 assists for 80 points. He has never had a negative +/- season. Over the course of his 17 seasons, he has missed only 22 games due to injury (he has played in 1,176 games).
| Season | GP | G | A | PIM | +/- | PPG | SHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991-1992 | 80 | 11 | 49 | 22 | 36 | 5 | 0 |
| 1992-1993 | 84 | 7 | 34 | 28 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| 1993-1994 | 84 | 10 | 46 | 26 | 43 | 4 | 0 |
| 1994-1995 | 43 | 10 | 16 | 6 | 15 | 7 | 0 |
| 1995-1996 | 81 | 17 | 50 | 20 | 29 | 8 | 1 |
| 1996-1997 | 79 | 15 | 42 | 30 | 11 | 8 | 0 |
| 1997-1998 | 80 | 17 | 42 | 18 | 22 | 7 | 1 |
| 1998-1999 | 81 | 14 | 43 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 2 |
| 1999-2000 | 81 | 20 | 53 | 18 | 19 | 9 | 4 |
| 2000-2001 | 82 | 15 | 56 | 18 | 9 | 8 | 0 |
| 2001-2002 | 78 | 9 | 50 | 20 | 13 | 6 | 0 |
| 2002-2003 | 82 | 18 | 44 | 38 | 40 | 8 | 1 |
| 2003-2004 | 81 | 10 | 28 | 18 | 19 | 3 | 1 |
| 2005-2006 | 80 | 16 | 64 | 50 | 21 | 9 | 0 |
| 2006-2007 | 80 | 13 | 49 | 46 | 40 | 10 | 0 |
| 2007-2008 | 76 | 10 | 60 | 40 | 40 | 5 | 0 |