TAMMERFORS. Henrik Zetterberg has been elected to the IIHF Hall of Fame.
In his acceptance speech, he addressed his wife, Emma Zetterberg, and seven-year-old son, Love.
– He’d rather play football than be here, says the 42-year-old Swedish ice hockey legend.
In a ceremony during the Ice Hockey World Cup in Tampere, Henrik Zetterberg was elected to the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame.
Henrik Zetterberg is a member of the Triple Gold Club having won Olympic gold and World Cup gold in 2006 as well as winning the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008.
– My wife, Emma, came into my life in 2006. I am convinced that when you are happy in life, you play better. You have made me a happy person and a better person. I want to thank you for everything you’ve done and thank you for letting me do what you’ve done. Especially after my career, the transition to being a retired ice hockey player wasn’t always easy. You made it so much easier, says Zäta.
“I like your priorities”
He also chose to turn to their son’s shared love that he had more important things to do than see his dad celebrate.
My son, Luv, is seven years old. He’s probably playing a home football tournament match in Ängelholm now. I like your priorities. Football tournament before joining here. I enjoy every second with you, and I am very much looking forward to following your journey in life. I promise I will always be there for you, says “Zäta”.
Love also plays ice hockey at Rögle, where the father joins and helps out.
– I’m just there to move the pucks. There is no other desire to work with hockey in the future. I only share informally when I talk to Timrå and Detroit Red Wings, these two clubs are close to my heart. Kimmo Kapanen, who I played with for a long time, took over as Timrå’s sports director, and it’s only natural to have contact and help as much as you can, as ‘Zäta’ says.
“shocked and stressed”
It was he who scored the decisive goal in the sixth match against the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008, which was played by Pavel Datsyuk and Niklas Kronwall.
He was also awarded the Conn Smythe Award as the best player in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
In his acceptance speech, Henrik Zetterberg also paid tribute to, among others, Ngorunda SK, Ansar Timra, Beau Larsson, Kent “Nobin” Norberg, Detroit Red Wings owner, Ken Holland, Pavel Datsyuk, Hardy Nilsson, Bengt-Ake Gustafsson, Anders ” Pudding Weiderstål, mother, father and sister.
– I was shocked and nervous, I’m glad it’s over. It was my first speech since I stopped playing ice hockey. It was hard, but I had to speak from my heart, says Zta.
In total, Henrik Zetterberg played 18 seasons for the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL.
Former team members Niklas Lidström, Niklas Kronwall, Steve Yzermann and Chris Draper are now with the Detroit Red Wings.
Henrik Zetterberg served as a remote consultant for Trey Kronauer during the Beijing Olympics last winter.
