chicagoh:

May 31st, 2012: Nicklas Lidstrom announces his retirement, just over a month after finishing his 20th season in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings, having become one of the greatest defencemen in history. Lidstrom is a 4-time Stanley Cup winner, a 12-time NHL All Star, a 7-time Norris Trophy winner, a Conn Smythe Trophy winner, and a member of the elite Triple Gold Club, to name a few. By far the most respectable player in the NHL, Lidstrom will be missed by not only fans of the Red Wings, but by fans of opposing teams, and by the opposing teams themselves. Nicklas Lidstrom has been a constant inspiration for aspiring NHL’ers all over the world, and surely it’ll be a big change not seeing number 5 suit up for the opening game of Detroit’s 2012-2013 season. Quite frankly, it’s a little scary to not be able to say, “See you in the fall, Nick.” To Nicklas Lidstrom, I say thank you. Thank you for being a consistent competitor, a fair opponent, and an inspiration, I’m afraid that out of all I’ve seen retire in my years as a hockey fan, you’re the one I’ll miss most.