Red Wings retire Nicklas Lidstrom's No. 5 jersey, hoisting it to the Joe Louis Arena rafters

DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings have retired Nicklas Lidstrom's No. 5 jersey.

Lidstrom was honoured Thursday night before Detroit hosted the Colorado Avalanche. A red banner — with his last name and number in white — was raised to the rafters to end the pregame ceremony.

The storied franchise previously retired six jerseys: Gordie Howe's No. 9, Steve Yzerman's No. 19, Ted Lindsay's No. 7, Terry Sawchuk's No. 1, Alex Delvecchio's No. 10 and Sid Abel's No. 12.

Lidstrom retired after the 2011-12 season — his 20th with the Red Wings. He won four Stanley Cups and seven Norris Trophies as the NHL's best defenceman.

The Swede played in 1,564 games — the most by someone who was on only one NHL team — and could still be making millions in the league.