Red Wings Defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom to Retire
Fitzgerald Cecilio

Detroit, MI

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom has decided to retire from the NHL.

General manager Ken Holland refused to comment when asked about Lidstrom's plan, saying the 20-year veteran has the right to make his own announcement.

Lidstrom has played his entire career for the Red Wings since they drafted him 53rd overall in 1989. He then emerged as one of NHL's all-time greatest defensemen, winner of seven Norris trophies.

He has won four Stanley Cups, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy or Finals MVP in 2002. He became the first European born-and-trainer player to captain a team to the NHL title in 2008.

During the regular season, Lidstrom had 13 power play assists, second only to Pavel Datsyuk, who finished with 19. The defenseman has registered 458 power play assists throughout his career

He registered 23 assists during the regular-season, the eighth highest on the team. With 878 career assists, he trails Steve Yzerman and Gordie Howe for most assists in Red Wings' history.

Lidstrom became one of the NHL's top 50 all-time scorers when he recorded career-point No. 1,131 during 3-2 win over St Louis on Dec. 27. He accumulated 1,142 career points by the end of the season, joining Jaromir Jagr (1,653) and Teemu Selanne (1,406) as the only active players on the top 50 all-time scorers list.

He was a 12-time NHL All-Star and won the Norris Trophy winner in 2001-2003, 2006-2008 and 2011. The Norris Trophy is awarded annually to NHL's top defensive player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.