Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom will announce his retirement from the National Hockey League at a press conference Thursday, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos has confirmed.
The team has announced a press conference for Thursday morning with Lidstrom and Red Wings general manager Ken Holland scheduled to participate.
The 42-year-old Swede has won four Stanley Cup championships, seven Norris Trophies for being the NHL’s top defenceman and a Conn Smythe Trophy in 2002 as playoff MVP.
Also, Lidstrom won an Olympic Gold medal with Sweden in 2006 and became the first European captain to hoist the Stanley Cup when the Red Wings won in 2008.
Lidstrom was drafted in the third round, 53rd overall by the Red Wings in 1989 and played 21 seasons in the NHL, all in Detroit. Over the years he has become considered one of the greatest defencemen to ever play the game of hockey.
In 1,564 career regular season games he registered 264 goals, 878 assists for 1,142 points and had a plus-rating in all but one season. He ranks 10th on the all-time games played list and finishes his career sixth all-time in points from a defenceman.