“King Henrik”

Henrik “King Henrik” Lundqvist (born 2.3.1982) is a Swedish ice hockey goaltender. He has been playing in the NHL since 2005 and he has played his whole NHL career with New York Rangers.

Early Career

Henrik Lundqvist played junior hockey with Rögle BK, but he was scouted 1998 by Frölunda HC and he moved to Göteborg. Lundqvist made his Eliteserien debut with Frölunda HC on 21.9.2000. Lundqvist played few good games but did not get much playing time. Lundqvist slowly earned his spot as starting goalie and he led Frölunda two times (2003 and 2005) to won Eliteserien. His last season with Frölunda (2005), Lundqvist was named Best Goaltender, Best player and he was selected as the league’s MVP by other players. Lundqvist was drafted 205th overall in the 2000 NHL Draft by New York Rangers.

New York Rangers

Lundqvist’s Rookie season with New York Rangers was season 2005-06. He started as a backup goalie of Kevin Weekes, but after Weekes injured, Lundqvist got his chance to play. On 8.10.2005, Lundqvist made his NHL debut against New Jersey Devils. Lundqvist ended season with 30 wins and broke old Rangers rookie goaltending record of 29 wins. After his first season, Lundqvist was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. Next season (2006-07), Lundqvist continued to establish himself – he was again finalist for the Vezina Trophy.

On 13.2.2008, Lundqvist signed six-year contract extension with the Rangers. He was again selected the Rangers Most Valuable Player (he was selected seven years in a row 2007-2013 and two times after that 2016 and 2018). On 27.2.2012, Lundqvist became the first NHL goalie to win at least 30 games in his first seven seasons in NHL. Lundqvist won his only Vezina Trophy as a best goalie of NHL at the 2012 NHL Awards. On 4.12.2013 Lundqvist signed seven-year contract extension with the Rangers.

Henrik Lundqvist has not won any Stanley Cups with the Rangers. In the season 2013-14, Lundqvist and the Rangers reached Stanley Cup Finals, but Los Angeles Kings won 4-1. On 11.2.2017, Lundqvist recorded his 390th career win and become the all-time wins leader among European-born goaltenders.

International Play

Henrik Lundqvist has won three medals in IIHF World Championships – Gold (2017) and two silver medals (2003 and 2004). in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Lundqvist led Sweden to the gold medal

Other interesting stuff

Lundqvist has won one Vezina Trophy for the best goalie of NHL (2012), one Hart Memorial Trophy (2012) for a NHL’s most valuable player and one Ted Lindsay Award (2012) for the best player of NHL, chosen by other players. Lundqvist has been chosen to the NHL First All-Star Team once (2012).

He owns several goaltender records of the New York Rangers: Most wins, most shutouts, and most playoffs wins. He also owns several NHL records: Most wins by a European-born goaltender, fastest goaltender to record 400 wins and only goaltender to record 30 wins of each of first seven seasons.