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Niklas KronwallSwedish professional ice hockey player
Date of Birth: 12.01.1981
Country:  Sweden |
Content:
- Niklas Kronwall: A Swedish Hockey Legend
- NHL Career and "Kronwalled"
- Early Life and Career
- Detroit Red Wings and Achievements
- Later Career and Retirement
- - Three Stanley Cups (2008, 2013, 2015)
Niklas Kronwall: A Swedish Hockey Legend
Niklas Kronwall, a Swedish professional hockey player, is an alternate captain and defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL. He started his career with Järfälla and played for the Swedish national team.
NHL Career and "Kronwalled"
After entering the NHL, Kronwall gained recognition for his signature move, known as "Kronwalled." This involved delivering a hard hit to an opponent's back, leaving them on the ice.
Early Life and Career
Born in Stockholm, Sweden, on January 12, 1981, Kronwall was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the first round (29th overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He continued to play for his Stockholm club before relocating to North America in 2003.
Detroit Red Wings and Achievements
In the 2003-04 season, Kronwall appeared in 20 games for Detroit, scoring one goal and four assists while accumulating 16 penalty minutes. During the 2004-05 NHL lockout, he played a full season for the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit's farm team. He recorded an impressive 13 goals and 40 assists in 76 games as a defenseman, earning the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL's top defenseman.
Kronwall suffered a significant knee injury in an exhibition game against the Colorado Avalanche in September 2005, missing most of the 2005-06 season. Despite being named to the Swedish Olympic team, he was replaced due to his injury. However, after another Swedish defenseman got injured, Kronwall rejoined the team and became an Olympic champion. He also participated in the 2006 World Championships, winning a gold medal. This made him one of only eight players to win Olympic and World Championship gold in the same year.
Winning the Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008, Kronwall joined the Triple Gold Club. He recorded 6 goals and 45 assists in the 2008-09 NHL season and added 2 goals and 7 assists in the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Later Career and Retirement
Kronwall became Detroit's top defenseman after the retirement of Nicklas Lidstrom in 2012. He played in all 82 games in the 2011-12 season, scoring a career-high 15 goals. Kronwall earned a reputation for his physical play and ability to separate opponents from the puck.
After retiring in 2020, Kronwall had a successful career that included:
- Three Stanley Cups (2008, 2013, 2015)
- Olympic gold medal (2006)- World Championship gold medal (2006)
- Eddie Shore Award (2005)
- NHL All-Star Game (2012)
