VERDICT: Hjalmarsson Gets United Center Send Off the 'Proper Way'

Niklas Hjalmarsson, who used to intercept shots for a living, had only to block out his emotions Thursday night. He aced that too. Before a highly affectionate crowd at the United Center, the beloved former Blackhawks' defenseman sprinkled his brief Legacy Night remarks with humor, gratitude and sincerity. An emotional sort, The Hammer didn't require any tissues or his customary accoutrement before leaving any rink, an ice pack.
"When I got traded, I never got to say goodbye," Hjlamarsson said before stepping on the red carpet. "This was the proper way to do it. I'm not sure I deserve this, but I am thankful. So spoiled."

All current Blackhawks wore a No. 4 with "Hjalmarsson" on the back of their sweaters during warmups. Then, nostalgiapalooza. For the ceremonial puck drop, Hjalmarsson was flanked by Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews. Nine Stanley Cup rings in that circle.
Hjalmarsson gladly signed up for a Legacy Night that coincided with the Chicago return of future Hall of Famer Keith, whose visage brought the building to a crescendo between whistles in the first period. A slew of Keith highlights flashed on the giant screen as the Blackhawks and his Edmonton Oilers gazed. Keith will get a Legacy Night when he retires in 10 or 15 years, but Hjalmarsson was happy to have a co-star in the building.
"Yeah, that was nice," admitted The Hammer, who was accompanied by family: father Sivert, mother Ewa, brother Henrik and sister Ida, all in from Sweden.

Hjalmarsson was selected in the fourth round, 108th overall, of the 2005 draft. Keith already was in the system, as of 2002, and Brent Seabrook came a year later. Toews followed in 2006 and Patrick Kane in 2007. Who knew what those names would mean to the Blackhawks as the franchise arose from ashes? Probably not even the Blackhawks, but they could only hope.
Scouts pegged Hjalmarsson as a promising defenseman who excelled in the Swedish Elite League. His final season in Europe was 2006-07. Come fall, he arrived in Rockford with the IceHogs, the Blackhawks' American Hockey League affiliate.
"I talked with a few Swedish players who made it to the NHL, and all of them said it was the best place in the world to play hockey," recalled Hjalmarsson. "I was very young, so I told myself I would give it a shot because I might not get another. I would have regretted it for the rest of my life if I didn't try. As far as my career goes, coming to America was the best decision I ever made.
"I loved the North American style. It's a tougher and faster game than in Europe. I liked the fan experience, too. They are so much closer to the glass and that made it a great atmosphere to compete in. I had some doubts about leaving home, of course. I didn't know anybody except my girlfriend, who came over here with me."

Hjalmarsson's path to the NHL was stalled by a couple injuries as he split two seasons with the Blackhawks and IceHogs. His versatility and work ethic impressed in Rockford, where he occasionally quarterbacked the power play. In Chicago, he frequently partnered with Brian Campbell. In 2009, Hjalmarsson got a taste of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In 2010, he sipped champagne as a rock on the Blackhawks' first championship team since 1961.
Soon after the parade, Hjalmarsson, a restricted free agent, signed an offer sheet for a healthy sum with the San Jose Sharks, whose general manager, Doug Wilson, was an admirer. The Blackhawks matched it, kept Hjalmarsson, but lost Antti Niemi, their Cup-winning goalie. Hjalmarsson has since quipped that he still owes a dinner to Wilson, a Blackhawks' Hall of Famer.
A left shot who could master either side in a sport of angles, Hjalmarsson grew into a dependable shutdown defenseman for head coach Joel Quenneville. Hjalmarsson had exceptional intuition and was utterly fearless, smothering shots as though inserting his body into the trajectory of a speeding puck resembled fun. When he took one in the throat and couldn't speak for a couple weeks, a humble Hammer saw the bright side. No interviews!!

Hjalmarsson almost thrust himself onto center stage in 2013. The Blackhawks, down 3-1 in a playoff series against the Detroit Red Wings, appeared to complete a rousing comeback in Game 7 when he scored to break a tie late in regulation. But the goal was nullified because of a controversial call by referee Stephen Walkom, who cited offsetting penalties. When Seabrook won it in overtime, Hjalmarsson exhaled. Again, no interviews!!
"I knew something was wrong," said Hjalmarsson. "What was I doing scoring a clinching goal in a series like that?"
Hjalmarsson retired last year at age 34. He chose the middle of the night in the middle of the summer and, because Hjalmarsson proudly eschews social or anti-social media, it was up to a reporter to pry the news from other sources. Hjalmarsson had more to give to the Coyotes, with whom he finished his stellar career, but opted to leave while still healthy, all the better to hang with sons Theo, 8, and Oliver, 5. Once the kids are done with school in Arizona, the Hjalmarssons shall settle in Sweden.
"Very blessed," The Hammer said. "I came to the perfect team in the Blackhawks at the perfect time with a great group."

The Hammer did return to his second home, Chicago, in October of 2018 when the Coyotes visited the United Center. As always, the Blackhawks deftly crafted a video tribute. He received a deserved outstanding room only ovation. A sensitive sort, Hjalmarsson teared up, so Coyotes' coach Rick Tocchet found room on the bench for the special guest to settle down. There was a game to be played, so at least Hjalmarsson didn't have to speak.
"This is special to me," Hjalmarsson said before his Legacy Night. "The city, the fans, the memories. Guys who won three Cups together, we'll have that bond for life."
After the Blackhawks beat the Oilers, 4-3, in overtime, Capt. Toews reflected on the importance of Hjalmarsson during his roaring twenties, the greatest decade in franchise history.
"Without him, we don't win any of those Cups."
Legacy, confirmed.