NEED TO KNOW
As a Stanley Cup Champion, Olympic gold medalist, 10-year NHL veteran and Detroit Red Wings captain, Henrik Zetterberg has a resume that most would envy. Ahead of Monday night’s games, the 32-year old Swede leads the league in assists (13), ranks third overall in points (18) and is in the midst of a four-game point streak while leading his Wings to three consecutive victories. To cap off this impressive statistical week, “Hank” as he is known to teammates, received high-praise from the Great One, Wayne Gretzky, who referred to him as his “favorite player over the last 10 years”, a momentous compliment coming from the NHL’s all-time leading scorer. Henrik exhibits all of the attributes any team would look for in a captain and leader. A natural playmaker, he has a knack for finding open spots on the ice and is terrific with the puck in pressure situations. At 5’11”, 197 lbs., he possesses great speed and is an asset both offensively and on the defensive end, often matching-up against the opposing team’s top line.
Internationally, Henrik has represented his home country of Sweden at various levels of competition, including three Winter Olympics, six World Championships and one World Cup of Hockey, capturing a gold medal at the winter Olympics in Turin in 2006 as well as a gold medal at the 2006 World Championships in Latvia.
Outside of hockey, Henrik is actively involved with several charitable initiatives in the Detroit area. During the season, at each home game, he and his wife Emma host patients and their families from local children's hospitals in their Zetterberg Foundation Suite.
- Henrik has played in 680 NHL games, recording 257 goals, 385 assists and 642 points
- Became a Stanley Cup Champion with the Red Wings for the first time in 2008 and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player during the playoffs
- Signed a 12-year contract with the Red Wings in 2008-09, making it the longest in franchise history
BIOGRAPHY
- Born in Njurunda, Sweden on October 9, 1980
- Drafted in the 7th round, 210th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft
- Goes by several nicknames including "Zäta" which means "Z" in Swedish and “Hank”, a shortened English name for Henrik
