Legend Retires

By Tate Harris

A Detroit Red Wings legend has retired after playing 15 seasons and serving six as captain.

Henrik Zetterberg played 1,082 games for the Wings and was ranked fifth all time in scoring for the franchise. Being fifth has him ranked with other Red Wing greats such as, Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman and Sergi Fedorov.  Zetterberg, 37, has been battling back issues which forced him to retire.

“Obviously it’s emotional,” said Zetterberg to a crowd of reporters at Little Caesars Arena. “It’s been 15 years here. Even though I knew that I was on my last couple years here. I wish that I could have played longer”

Zetterberg won a Stanely Cup with the Wings in 2008 and won the Conn Smyth Trophy as playoffs MVP. He scored 27 points in 22 games in those playoffs.

Ken Holland, general manager of the Red Wings, said there will be a massive hole in their lineup now.

“I think last year he was the fifth leading forward in terms of minutes in the NHL, “said Holland. “So, someone has to eat up all those minutes.”

Holland also said Zetterberg will be missed as a role model for their young line-up. In 2015 Zetterberg won the King Clancy award which is given to the player that best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice.

Young players like Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha are expected to begin filling the hole on their team.  The passing of the leadership torch officially starts Oct. 4 when the Wings open their NHL season against the Columbus Blue Jackets.