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Detroit’s Henrik Zetterberg:
This Swede is Sweet
by NHL | Oct. 23, 2002
Hockey Town
just got a little "Sweder" this season as 22 year old Henrik Zetterberg,
a native of Timra, Sweden, has joined the Detroit Red Wings in their pursuit
of yet another Stanley Cup title.
Zetterberg,
at 5'11'' and 176 lbs, is best known for his solid speed on the ice as
well as his phenomenal balance and quickness. At Left Wing, he is
a very intelligent player making great plays and setting up noteworthy
situations for his teammates while on the ice.
Zetterberg
started his pro hockey career in 1997, playing in his hometown of Timra,
in Sweden's Second League. In 1999, Zetterberg was drafted by the
Red Wings but continued to play in his native country in hopes of improving
his game so he could one day make it as a successful NHL player.
Over time,
Zetterberg helped team Timra elevate into the Swedish Elite League, one
of his goals after being drafted in 1999. It was at that time and in that
league, that Zetterberg won MVP honors and Rookie of the Year honors.
Making his
name in the Swedish Elite League, Zetterberg was chosen to the 2002 Swedish
Olympic team to compete in Salt Lake City. This was his final test before
being activated by the team that drafted him just a few years prior. As
you can imagine, Henrik Zetterberg passed that test! He proved to be an
asset to the team, making the most of his time on the ice as part of the
squad’s third line.
Zetterberg
is making a smooth transition into the NHL scoring four points in his
first five games, acquiring his first NHL goal vs. Anaheim on October
13 and his second on October 19 vs. Minnesota.
At the young
age of 22, Zetterberg is already playing on a front line with veterans
Sergei Fedorov and Brenden Shanahan.
We think
that’s pretty sweet!
Do
people in Sweden eat Swedish meatballs?
Yes
You
recently had a birthday. What was the best gift you received?
Scoring
my first NHL goal
What
did you do on your summer vacation?
A
lot of weight lifting
Who
was your favorite professional hockey player growing up?
Wayne
Gretzky
At
what age did you start playing hockey?
2
1/2
Is
it challenging to suddenly be playing with teammates who are significantly
older than you?
Yes!
Who
do you share a room with on the road?
Nicklas
Lidstrom
What
is the one thing you always bring when you travel?
My
toothbrush
Which
NHL goalie has the coolest mask?
Manny
Legace, Detroit Red Wings
If
you went to a NHL game as a spectator, which player would you most want
to see on the ice?
Tomas
Holmstrom, Detroit Red Wings, LW
As
a player, which opposing player would you NOT want to see on the ice?
That's
tough to say, there are so many great players in the NHL.
If
you were a school teacher, which subject would you choose to teach?
Physical
education
What
do you like best about living in the US?
All
the television channels
What
advice would you give to kids stepping onto the ice with a hockeystick
for the first time?
Heads
up!
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