Niklas Kronwall spoke with Hockeybladet.nu’s Piotr Arvidsson recently, discussing the Detroit’s recent renaissance and the team’s move from Joe Louis Arena to Little Caesars Arena.
If I may be frank, it’s a little annoying to read these kinds of articles, because the “out-of-towners” write as if Detroit is some sort of island cut off from humanity. I understand that the authors of these articles-from-afar are trying to give the city’s comeback compliments, not insults, but the truth is that Detroit is the heart of a sprawling Metro Area that’s the home of five million people, and the region has rebounded from the recession and collapse of the auto industry.
Detroit’s “comeback” is also overstated a bit–it’s very much so still a work in progress–but that’s to be expected.
What follows is roughly translated:
Kronwall: “Detroit was a ghost town”
Swedish superstar Niklas Kronwall begins his 15th season with the Detroit Red Wings this fall. The veteran has experienced the city’s transformation from an industrial city to a ghost town and back to an American metropolis, as well as the departure of the mythical home rink Joe Louis Arena.
“It’s been our home for a very long time. There are mixed feelings for everyone,” says Kronwall.
In the summer of 2003, Niklas Kronwall left Sweden and Djurgardens IF to play for the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL. Now he speaks with Hockeybladet and looks back at the time he’s lived [around] the American car and music city. A city at, during the time of Kronwall, has gone from a thriving industrial city to a ghost town.
“A lot has happened. It was very difficult for the city between 2008 and 2011. It was tough on many sides and edges, many houses that were for sale. Very empty houses with signs everywhere. It was a bit of a ghost town in those places,” says Niklas Kronwall to Hockeybladet.
Continue reading Roughly Translated: Niklas Kronwall discusses Detroit, Wings’ move to LCA
