Former Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday night, and he made the trip from southern Sweden to take part in the event. MLive’s Ansar Khan caught up with Zetterberg, who deferred credit for his accomplishments to those around him:
“My age group there were more players better than me,” Zetterberg said. “But then to get drafted by a team like the Red Wings was kind of in my favor. The Wings had such a good team. I had three years in Sweden to play men’s hockey. I played in two World Championships, one Olympics before I played over here. I think that really helped me develop because my draft year I was not a big kid. I wasn’t a big kid when I came over here either, but I actually got some muscle and prepared myself for playing over here. So, in a way being a late bloomer kind of helped me.”
Zetterberg made an immediate impact as a rookie in 2002-03 on a team loaded with future Hall-of-Famers that had won the Stanley Cup the previous year. He finished second in Calder Trophy balloting to Blues defenseman Barret Jackman.
“Didn’t really expect to stay up on the main team my first year but I had a good camp and a coach that believed in me in Dave Lewis,” Zetterberg said. “Kenny (former general manager Holland) believed in me. Jim Nill (former assistant GM) was a big part, too. I wouldn’t have had that career if I would have been with another team, I think. I got surrounded right away by Hall of Famers. That really helped me. Basically, my whole career I played with great players. When you surround yourself with good players, everything goes easier for yourself.”
Continued, and, in case you’re wondering:
“Right now, I don’t think [the Red Wings] have room for me,” Zetterberg said. “The good thing is I’m still involved. I know what’s going on. We have a lot of Detroit prospects in Sweden where I live now in Angelholm. Every time Nik (Kronwall) comes into town, I have a chance to be involved. I’m not quite sure if I’m ready right now, but I could see myself in the future getting (more) involved.”
