For as long as he can remember, Henrik Lundqvist has wanted to keep a goal, regardless of the sport. Let’s say the Swede did not miss his career choice, as he became one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL).
This weekend the 41-year-old will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, which says a lot about the quality of his work. The former New York Rangers first had to study in his home country.
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“That was something about this role. I was also a soccer goalkeeper. I loved it. I liked the facilities. I played a few games as a forward, but the first opportunity I got when they asked if anyone wanted to be a goalie, I was a goalie,” Lundqvist told NHL.com reporter Dan Rosen on Thursday.
“Hank” could have come to North America much earlier than 2005, as he was drafted around the turn of the millennium, but first he wanted to proudly defend the colors of Frolunda, which he did for five seasons. The seventh-round pick first had to fulfill this dream because he was always a fan of this team as a child.
“When I got to the point where I became No. 1 in Sweden, I knew the next step had to be the NHL,” he recalled.
In peace
Lundqvist didn’t miss his move from the Atlantic either, as he quickly became the Rangers’ number 1 goalkeeper. He appeared in 887 games in the Big Apple, rewriting the organization’s record book.
He won the Vezina Trophy and the hearts of Blueshirts fans, but the Stanley Cup eluded him until the end. This is a missed opportunity, perhaps the only one in his career.
“I have no regrets and I feel good,” he admitted. I did my best in the time given to me. Could it have been different? You can always say: stop more pucks. But I am very happy with my trip.”
His career also ended overnight when heart problems prevented him from donning the Washington Capitals jersey in 2020-2021. However, he doesn’t blame fate.
“The day it happened I was at peace. I was in a good mood and grateful for what I was able to experience. And in some ways I don’t think I should play anywhere else. It was my story and it was time to move on,” explained the man who now works on television for the TNT channel.
On Monday, Lundqvist will join former players Tom Barrasso, Pierre Turgeon, Mike Vernon and Caroline Ouellette, as well as development players Ken Hitchcock and Pierre Lacroix in the pantheon.