After 15 seasons in the NHL, 38-year-old Niklas Kronwall is calling it a career. The Swedish defenseman has announced his retirement from the league, and will join the Detroit Red Wings front office as adviser to the general manager.
The Red Wings are the only NHL team Kronwall has ever played for. He was selected in the first round, 29th overall, in the 2000 entry draft. While he has contributed offensively over the years (83 goals, 349 assists over 953 games), Kronwall is better known for his open-ice hitting. Getting "Kronwalled" is a familiar term throughout the league.
Kronwall won a Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008. He is also prolific in international play, winning gold and silver medals with team Sweden at the Winter Olympics and a gold medal at the World Championships in 2006, where he was also named MVP and Best Defenseman.
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