Henrik Zetterberg will see his number 40 hang high above the ice one day shortly after he officially retires.
Zetterberg the leader of the Detroit Red Wings, following the Nicklas Lidstrom era. Zetterberg was very similar to Pavel Datsyuk in one particular way. Hank has always been an elite two-way center for the majority of his career.
Hank plays in a way that is often extremely difficult for opponents to play against. The highlight of his career was during the Detroit Red Wings back to back finals appearances in 07-08, 08-09. Henrik Zetterberg was asked to play head to head with Sidney Crosby. Hank often frustrated Crosby on a nightly basis.
During the Stanley Cup Championship run in 07-08 Hank produced early and often for the Detroit Red Wings. Hank recorded 27 points that included 13 goals in 22 contests en route to a Conn Smythe Trophy earning him the NHL playoffs MVP.
That 2007-08 regular season was Henrik’s best, so it was only fitting the way that it finished. It was the only season Hank topped the 40 goal mark, netting 43 and adding 49 helpers totaling 92 points. The point total would go on to be the most he would ever achieve in a single season. Hank would also go onto be a plus 30, again the best rating of his career.
Henrik Zetterberg has quietly climbed the Detroit Red Wings all-time scoring lists. Zetterberg currently sits 5th in three major scoring categories in DRW history. Hank has recorded 337 goals, 623 assists, totaling 960 career points.
Henrik Zetterberg currently remains 6th in DRW all-time games played with 1082. A very stunning event lined up perfectly for Henrik Zetterberg, his 1000th career game would also be the final game played at Joe Louis Arena.
Henrik was another diamond in the rough found and polished by the Detroit Red Wings. Z was drafted in the 7th round, 210th overall in the1999 Entry Level Draft. Back to back drafts, Detroit landed Datsyuk and Zetterberg exceptionally late, both on the last day.
More from History
- Detroit Red Wings 25th Anniversary celebration a bit bittersweet
- It’s Time to Celebrate the End of the Rebuild
- Red Wings History: 20th Anniversary of the 2002 Stanley Cup Victory
- Jeff Blashill: A Man for All Seasons?
- Detroit Red Wings: Top 15 Moments from the Past 15 Years
Henrik Zetterberg quietly went about his business night after night. Zetterberg led by example and was one half of the best two-way center tandem in the NHL for a number of years.
Zetterberg didn’t have the stickhandling ability of Datsyuk. He never did have world-class speed. Zetterberg, a player who was willing to dig in every night and win draws, kill penalties and play against the opponents best players. Oh, and yes he did score a tonne. Hank was never a flashy player, but he got the job done every night.
Henrik Zetterberg’s number 40 will hang high in the rafters one day for the Detroit Red Wings. Nobody will ever wear the winged wheel 40 again.