Nicklas Lidstrom Announces Retirement After 20 Seasons

Nicklas Lidstrom (Facebook)

Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom of Sweden announced his retirement during a news conference in Detroit on Thursday, May 31.

"My drive and motivation are not where they to need to be to play at this level," said Lidstrom who is retiring after 20 National Hockey League seasons with his team.

Over the course of his career, the 42-year-old Swede received seven Norris Trophies for being the top defense NHL player in a season, four Stanley Cups, and one Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP.

He became the first European-born and trained NHL captain to win the Stanley Cup, as well as the first European player named playoff MVP. Lidstrom is also the all-time leader in games played with only one NHL team and by a European-born player. Lidström never missed the postseason in any of his 20 NHL seasons.

The four-time Olympian played a total of 1,564 NHL games with a single team, scoring 264 goals and 878 assists. He finished this past season with 11 goals in 70 games.

Lidstrom plans to move his family to Sweden but he hopes that he could still work with the Red Wings off-ice.

"It was not an easy decision to make but I believe it was the right one." Lidstrom wrote on Facebook. "I've enjoyed my career in the NHL and I will not forget a moment of it. I want to thank my family, friends, the entire Red Wings organization, and all of the fans across the world. I couldn't have done it without any of you. Thank you so much."