Nicklas Lidstrom earns yet another major honor

He won just about everything that a National Hockey League defenseman had the chance to, and he's just been bestowed with yet another honor.

Former Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom was named the 1st recipient of the Borje Salming Courage Award, named for the late Swedish defenseman who lost his life last year due to complications from ALS. 

This award is presented to a European NHL Alumni member who "has been a positive influence in their community and best embodies Borje’s lasting legacy of bravery, courage, and dedication both on and off the ice."

“We are honoured to have Nicklas Lidstrom as our inaugural recipient of this award. Borje Salming’s impact in Sweden and Europe as a whole cannot be overstated. He paved a path for generations of international players to follow and achieve their dreams of playing in the National Hockey League,” said Glenn Healy, NHL Alumni Association Executive Director. “Nicklas is a true representation of what this award is all about. From supporting youth hockey initiatives to a ‘no ego’ attitude on and off the ice, he perfectly represents this award and the legacy behind it.”

Of course, Lidstrom is one of the premier sports figures not only in the city of Detroit, but in the history of hockey. And his nickname of "The Perfect Human" is well deserved, considering the numerous accolades that he earned during his legendary career. He won four Stanley Cup championships, seven James Norris Memorial Trophies (awarded to the NHL's top defenceman), one Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP, and was voted into 12 NHL All-Star Games.

The Red Wings never missed the postseason during his career, the longest in league history for a player never missing the playoffs. He was the first European-born-and-trained captain of a Stanley Cup winning team, as well as the first European player named playoff MVP; he's 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, and was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history in 2017. 

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