Niklas_Kronwall

Niklas Kronwall

Niklas Kronwall (born January 12, 1981, in Stockholm), is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. He has gained notoriety for being an open ice hitter. He is sometimes jokingly referred to as "Nick Jr" (in reference to fellow Swede and Red Wing Nicklas Lidström). His brother Staffan Kronwall plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL.

Playing career

Niklas Kronwall was selected in the 1st round, 29th overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. He continued to play for Djurgårdens IF until he came to North America in 2003. He played 20 games for Detroit in the 2003–04 season, scoring 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points, to go along with 16 penalty minutes.

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Kronwall played a complete season for the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Red Wings' top affiliate in the American Hockey League. He notched 13 goals and 40 assists in 76 games while also playing a solid defense. For his efforts, Kronwall was awarded the Eddie Shore Award as the top defenseman in the AHL.

Kronwall was injured in an exhibition game against Colorado Avalanche in September 2005 and missed more than half of the 2005–06 season with a serious knee injury.

In late 2005 he was named member of the Swedish Olympic Team but dropped out in early 2006 because of his injured knee. When Mattias Öhlund was injured against Switzerland, Kronwall was called in to replace him.

He also played at the IIHF 2006 World Championship to win the other international gold medal. This makes him one of only eight players who have won both Olympic and WC gold the same year. He won the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 2008, inducting him into the Triple Gold Club. He also led all defensemen in scoring with 15 points in the 2008 playoffs.

Awards

Elitserien champion with Djurgårdens IF in 2000 and 2001.
Elitserien Junior Hockey Player of the Year in 2000.
Silver medal at the World Championships in 2003.
Awarded the Eddie Shore Award (Outstanding Defenseman) in 2005.
Named to the AHL First All-Star Team in 2005.
Gold medal at the Winter Olympics in 2006.
Gold medal at the World Championships in 2006.
Named MVP and Best Defender in World Championships in 2006.
Named to the World Championship All-Star Team in 2006.
Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008.

Career statistics

			Regular Season					Playoffs
Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1998–99	Huddinge IK	Swe-2	24	1	1	2	24	—	—	—	—	—
1999–2000	Djurgårdens IF	Elit	37	1	4	5	16	8	0	0	0	8
2000–01	Djurgårdens IF	Elit	31	1	9	10	32	15	0	1	1	8
2001–02	Djurgårdens IF	Elit	48	5	7	12	34	0	0	0	0	0
2002–03	Djurgårdens IF	Elit	50	5	13	18	46	12	3	2	5	18
2003–04	Detroit Red Wings	NHL	20	1	4	5	16	—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL	25	2	11	13	20	—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL	76	13	40	53	53	—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	Detroit Red Wings	NHL	27	1	8	9	28	6	0	3	3	2
2005–06	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL	1	0	0	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Detroit Red Wings	NHL	68	1	21	22	54	—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Detroit Red Wings	NHL	65	7	28	35	25	22	0	15	15	18
Elitserien Totals			166	12	33	45	128	35	3	3	6	34
AHL Totals			102	15	51	66	73	—	—	—	—	—
NHL Totals			180	10	61	71	142	28	0	18	18	20