Red Wings Hire Franchise Icon Lidstrom As VP Of Hockey Operations

DETROIT — The Detroit Red Wings hired of Hall of Fame Defenseman and franchise icon Nicklas Lidstrom as vice president of hockey operations, the team announced Tuesday.

Lidstrom, 51, will join his former linemate, Steve Yzerman, another Red Wings legend in the team's front office. The two won three Stanley Cups together.

"It's been on my mind for a little bit of time," Lidstrom said. "I wanted to get back and get involved with hockey again, especially with the Wings. And when the opportunity presented itself, I thought it was good timing for me and my family. So I'm excited."

As the vice president of hockey operations, Lidstrom will play a vital role in drafting and developing young players, similar to the likes of Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, who are currently making their case for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie.

Lidstrom played his entire 20-year career with the Red Wings, winning four Stanley Cups, seven James Norris Memorial Trophies (awarded to the NHL's top defenseman), one Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP, and was voted into 12 NHL All-Star Games. He is often considered one of the greatest defenseman to play the game.

The Red Wings never missed the postseason during his career, which is the longest in league history for a player never missing the playoffs.

Lidstrom was also the first European-born-and-trained captain of a Stanley Cup winning team, which came in 2008, as well as the first European player named playoff MVP. He is also the all-time leader in games played with only one NHL team and by a European-born player.

Lidstrom was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on 9 November 2015. In 2017, he was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history.