There are several unique Detroit Red Wings milestones that connect to Henrik Zetterberg’s name.
He was the last Red Wings captain to lead the team into the Stanley Cup playoffs. He was also the most recent Detroit player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as NHL playoff MVP.
It won’t be a surprise if someday soon, the Red Wings are retiring Zetterberg’s No. 40 jersey and hoisting it to a place of honor in the Little Caesars Arena rafters.
Zetterberg’s jersey number is going to be retired next season, but in this instance, you could say the move is only half of what Red Wings fans might be hoping to see.
Timra IK, Zetterberg’s Swedish club, will be retiring the No. 20 jersey he wore for the club. The ceremony is scheduled for October 17.
Zetterberg played with Timra’s U18, U20, and senior squad in Sweden’s top division from 1996 through 2002.
In 2002, Zetterberg was the only non-NHLer to earn selection to the Swedish team for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games.
Zetterberg led Timra in scoring during the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons. He would join the Red Wings for the 2002-03 NHL season, accounting for 22 goals and finishing second in Calder Trophy voting.
Zetterberg would play one last season for Timra in 2004-05 during the NHL lockout. Once again, the team’s scoring leader, Zetterberg, collected 50 points in 50 games.
Zetterberg is an Advisor for Timra, Red Wings
Today, Zetterberg is serving both of the clubs he played for as an advisor to their hockey operations. It’s an unpaid role in Detroit. Zetterberg is like a part-time consultant to the Red Wings’ braintrust.
Zetterberg works on Timra IK’s sports council. He was a central figure in the selection of Mikael Gath as the club’s new head coach.
“It works very well,” Zetterberg told Swedish website Hockey Sverige. “I’ve been with Timra in the background ever since we moved back to Sweden.
“Before this season, it was more serious and more real. We’ve found a good way of working and a good structure so that I can stay down here.”