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Henrik Lundqvist

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Lundqvist redirects here. For the Iowa Stars center, see Joel Lundqvist
Image:LundqvistHeadShotNYR.jpg
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
Nickname King Henrik, The Beast
Height
Weight 		6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
195 lb (89 kg)
NHL Team New York Rangers
Nationality Image:Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden
Born March 2, 1982,
Åre, SWE
NHL Draft 205th overall, 2000
New York Rangers
Pro Career 2000 – present

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Olympic medal record
Men's Ice hockey
Gold 2006 Turin Ice hockey

Henrik Lundqvist (b. March 2, 1982, in Åre, Sweden) is a Swedish goaltender for the New York Rangers. After only one season, he is considered to be one of the best goaltenders in the National Hockey League, and was nominated for the Vezina Trophy. He has an identical twin brother, Joel Lundqvist of the Dallas Stars.

Often called "Henke" or "Lunkan" (Swedish hypocorisms of his first and last name, respectively) by his Swedish fans, his dominating play during his rookie season resulted in the New York media and Rangers fans giving him the nicknames "King Henrik." During games fans are known to chant "Hen-rik."

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[edit] European career

Born in Åre, Sweden, Lundqvist began his professional hockey career at the age of 18 with Swedish Elitserien League team Frölunda HC (then known as Västra Frölunda). <ref>hockeygoalies.org, Henrik Lundqvist, accessed May 28, 2006</ref> In 180 appearances with Frölunda he compiled a 1.96 goals against average and a .927 save percentage, leading them to four consecutive playoff appearances and winning two titles, in 2003 and 2005.

While playing in the Elitserien, Lundqvist was the starting goaltender for the Swedish national men's hockey team, earning a silver medal at the 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships.

During the 2005 season, he broke four Swedish national records: lowest goals against average (1.05), best save percentage (.962), longest time without allowing a goal (172 min 29 sec) and most shutouts in a season (6). He was also named Best Goaltender, Best Swedish Player and was selected as the league's MVP by fellow players.

Drafted by the Rangers with the 205th selection in the 7th round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, <ref>Hartford Wolf Pack press release, Rangers Sign Henrik Lundqvist, accessed May 28, 2006</ref> Lundqvist was considered by many to be the best goaltending prospect to come out of Sweden, and got a chance to prove it in his rookie season.

[edit] NHL career

Image:LundqvistNYPostGold.jpg

A Ranger fan favorite, Lundqvist posted his first career NHL win against the New Jersey Devils on October 13 2005, and his first career shutout on October 17 2005 against the Florida Panthers. He was named Defensive Player of the Week twice (October 23–30, 2005 and January 16–22, 2006). Rangers starting goalie Kevin Weekes was injured in the beginning of the season and Lundqvist stepped in admirably, winning the fans over with his play.

On January 22 2006, Lundqvist became the first Rangers goalie since Mike Richter to record 20 wins in his rookie season in a 3-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Then on March 29 2006, he became the leader in victories by a New York Rangers rookie goaltender with his 30th win over their traditional rivals, the New York Islanders.

Lundqvist was a finalist for the 2005-2006 Vezina Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL's best goaltender. Despite a 30 win season in his rookie year, he was not a finalist for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the rookie of the year, though this was due to a high crop of first-year players, including Alexander Ovechkin, Dion Phaneuf, and Sidney Crosby. He won the 2005-06 MetLife/Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award, a New York Rangers team award.

He came off the NHL Awards 2006 ranked third for best goalkeeper and appointed to the All Rookie Team.

Lundqvist finished the season with a record of 30-12-9, with a 2.24 goals against average (5th in league) and a .922 save percentage (4th in league). The Rangers finished 3rd in the Atlantic divsion and 6th in the Eastern Conference.

[edit] 2006 Winter Olympics

As starting goaltender for the Swedish national men's hockey team at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Lundqvist led the team to a gold medal over their archrival, Finland. With only 30 seconds left in the final, Lundquist did a fantastic and almost impossible save and brought home the gold for Sweden. In six Olympic starts, Lundqvist went 5-1, allowing only 12 goals.

[edit] Off the ice

In April 2006 he was named one of People's World's 100 Most Beautiful People. <ref>etonline.com, People's World's Most Beautiful People, accessed May 28, 2006</ref>

[edit] Awards

  • Named Swedish Junior Hockey Player of the Year in 2002.
  • Awarded Honken Trophy (Swedish Goalie of the Year) in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
  • Awarded Guldpucken (Swedish Player of the Year) in 2005.
  • Awarded Guldhjälmen (Swedish Most Valuable Player) in 2005.
  • Elitserien champion with Frölunda HC in 2003 and 2005.
  • Silver medal the 2003 and 2004 World Championships.
  • Named Best Goalie at the 2004 World Championships.
  • Named to the All-Star Team at the 2004 World Championship.
  • Olympic Gold medal with Sweden in 2006.
  • Nominated for the Vezina Trophy (Best NHL Goalie) in 2006.
  • Named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2006.
  • Awarded the MetLife/Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award in 2006.
  • Awarded the New York Rangers Team Award in 2006.

[edit] Records

  • Elitserien record for GAA of season 2003 (1.45)
  • Elitserien record for SVS% of season 2003 (94.81)
  • Elitserien record for GAA of season 2005 (1.79)
  • Elitserien record for SVS% of season 2005 (93.55)

[edit] Notes

<references/>

[edit] References

Preceded by:
Johan Davidsson 		Golden Puck
2005 		Succeeded by:
Kenny Jonsson
de:Henrik Lundqvist

sk:Henrik Lundqvist fi:Henrik Lundqvist sv:Henrik Lundqvist

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