Number 5  in the Rafters

My first Lidstrom Memory

I remember buying up packs of ’92 OPC Premier cards, ripping open one after another, searching for the Nicklas Lidstrom rookie card. After going through the equivalent of an entire box, I finally found my prize, and I still own that same card today. At the time, I wanted the card because I was a Red Wings fan, and it was also listed in Beckett for $20 (strangely, it’s worth less money today).

Now Immortalized

The greatest defenseman of all-time had his number raised into the rafters of Joe Louis Arena, on March 6, 2014. Number 5 joins the great Red Wings of the past; Steve Yzerman #19, Terry Sawchuk #1, Alex Delvecchio #10, Ted Lindsay #7, Sid Abel #12, Gordie Howe #9. Nicklas Lidstrom is the first Red Wings defensemen to have his number hanging from the ceiling, and it is very much deserved.

I arrived not knowing much about the Wings…I asked for #9. The trainer said, ‘kid, that’s just not gonna happen’.” – Nicklas Lidstrom

Let us reflect upon the historic career of the last player to don the winged wheel number 5.

Nicklas Lidstrom was selected by the Detroit Red Wings, in the 1989 NHL entry draft, in the third round, with the 53rd overall pick. Little did we know, that player would compete for 20 seasons, all in Detroit, and lead the team to the playoffs in each one of them. Not to mention being instrumental in bringing Lord Stanley’s Cup to Hockeytown…4 times! Especially considering that the Cup had not graced Detroit for the previous 42 years.

Nicklas Lidstrom Career Awards & Records

• NHL All-Rookie Team (1992)
• 4-time Stanley Cup winner (1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008)
• 12-time NHL All-Star (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
• 7-time Norris Trophy winner (2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011)
• Conn Smythe Trophy winner (2002)
• First European born Captain to win a Stanley Cup

  Holds Detroit Red Wings franchise records for…

• Most games played in a season at 84, twice…back to back (1992-1994)
• Career postseason games played (263)
• Career goals by a defenseman (264)
• Career goals scored in postseason play for a defenseman (54)
• Career playoff goals in a single season for a defenseman (6)
• Career assists by a defenseman (878)
• Season assists by a defenseman (64)
• Career playoff assists by a defenseman (129)
• Career playoff assists all positions (129)
• Career points by a defenseman (1,142)
• Season points by a defenseman (80)
• Career playoff points by a defenseman (183)
• Single playoff season points by a defenseman (19)
• Best career plus-minus (+450)
• Best career playoff plus-minus (+61) NHL RECORD
• Most career power-play goals by a defenseman (132)
• Most career playoff power-play goals by a defenseman (30) NHL RECORD
• Most single season playoff power-play goals by a defenseman (6)
• Most career playoff shots on goal (656)
• Most assists in a single playoff game (4) T-1

That is a most impressive list of achievements! 20 franchise records for 20 exceptional years of dedication to his team, and the fans. Nicklas Lidstrom is the 4th leading point scorer in Red Wings history, and the leading scorer among all previous Detroit defensemen. The second leading defenseman, Reed Larson, scored less than half as many points, and had a plus-minus rating of 585 below Lidstrom.

On behalf of all Red Wing fans around the world I say, “Thank you, Mr. Lidstrom!”

What do you think of when you think of Nicklas Lidstrom?

What is your favorite memory of #5?

Nicklas Lidstrom Detroit Red Wings Autographed Hockey Puck $154.95

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