Niklas Kronwall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Niklas Kronwall
Kronwall with the Detroit Red Wings in 2012
Born	(1981-01-12) 12 January 1981 (age 44) Stockholm, Sweden
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	194 lb (88 kg; 13 st 12 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	Djurgårdens IF Detroit Red Wings
National team	Sweden
NHL Draft	29th overall, 2000 Detroit Red Wings
Playing career	1999–2019

Niklas Kronwall (born January 12, 1981) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey player. He was a defenceman, which means he played a defensive role on the ice. Kronwall played for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League (NHL). He is also one of only 30 players in the special Triple Gold Club. This club includes players who have won an Olympic gold medal, a World Championship gold medal, and the Stanley Cup.

Kronwall started his hockey journey in Sweden with Järfälla HC. He also played for the Swedish national team. In the NHL, he became famous for his powerful hits on opponents. People even made up a phrase, "being Kronwalled," to describe when he delivered one of his signature hits. In 2008, he helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup, which is one of the biggest trophies in hockey.

Playing Hockey

Niklas Kronwall was chosen by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 29th player picked overall. Before coming to North America in 2003, he played for Djurgårdens IF Hockey in Sweden.

In the 2003–04 season, Kronwall played 20 games for the Red Wings. He scored one goal and had four assists. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, when NHL games were paused, Kronwall played for the Grand Rapids Griffins. This team is a minor league affiliate of the Red Wings. He had a great season, scoring 13 goals and 40 assists in 76 games. He also played strong defense. For his excellent play, Kronwall won the Eddie Shore Award as the best defenceman in the American Hockey League (AHL).

In September 2005, Kronwall got a serious knee injury during a practice game. This injury made him miss more than half of the 2005–06 season.

Kronwall playing in the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals.

Kronwall achieved a huge goal in 2008 when he won the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings. This win made him a member of the exclusive Triple Gold Club. He also led all defencemen in scoring during the 2008 playoffs with 15 points. In the 2008–09 season, he scored six goals and had 45 assists. The Red Wings almost won the Stanley Cup again in 2009, but they lost in Game 7.

On December 27, 2010, Kronwall scored the winning goal in overtime against the Colorado Avalanche. This goal helped his teammate, goalie Chris Osgood, get his 400th career win.

In October 2011, Kronwall signed a seven-year contract with Detroit. He played in all 82 regular season games during the 2011–12 season. He scored a career-high 15 goals that season.

After veteran defenceman Nicklas Lidström retired in 2012, Kronwall became the Red Wings' top defenceman. He played in all 48 games during the shorter 2012–13 season. He usually played alongside fellow Swedish player Jonathan Ericsson. Kronwall helped the Red Wings make the playoffs for the 22nd year in a row.

In the 2013–14 season, Kronwall had eight goals and 41 assists in 79 games. He became only the fifth defenceman to lead the Red Wings in assists in a single season.

On December 3, 2015, Kronwall played in his 700th NHL game. He was the sixth defenceman in Red Wings history to reach this milestone. In January 2016, he had knee surgery and missed some games. He finished the 2015–16 season with three goals and 14 assists in 45 games.

Kronwall missed the start of the 2016–17 season due to an injury. He returned to play on November 4, 2016. He ended that season with his lowest point total since 2005–06.

During the 2017–18 season, Kronwall reached more personal milestones. He played his 800th NHL game on October 20, 2017. He also recorded his 400th career point on March 27, 2018.

On September 3, 2019, Niklas Kronwall announced he was retiring from ice hockey. He finished his career ranked third all-time in games played by a defenceman for the Red Wings. He was also fourth in points for a defenceman in the team's history.

After Playing Hockey

After retiring from playing, Kronwall continued to work with the Red Wings. He became an advisor to the team's general manager.

International Games

Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Ice hockey
Winter Olympics
Gold	2006 Turin
Silver	2014 Sochi
World Championships
Gold	2006 Latvia
Silver	2003 Finland

In late 2005, Kronwall was chosen for the Swedish Olympic Team. He had to drop out in early 2006 because of his knee injury. However, when another player, Mattias Öhlund, got injured, Kronwall was called in to replace him.

Kronwall represented Sweden at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. He scored one goal and had one assist in two games, helping Sweden win a gold medal. In the same year, Kronwall played for Sweden at the 2006 IIHF World Championship. He was the top scorer for Sweden, with two goals and eight assists in eight games, and won another gold medal. Sweden made history by becoming the first team to win both the Olympic gold and the World Championship in the same year.

With his 2008 Stanley Cup win, Kronwall officially became a member of the Triple Gold Club. This special group includes ice hockey players who have won Olympic gold, World Championship gold, and the Stanley Cup. Kronwall, along with his teammates Mikael Samuelsson and Henrik Zetterberg, achieved this feat faster than anyone else. It took them only two years, three months, and ten days.

Kronwall also represented Sweden at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. He had two assists in six games and won a silver medal.

"Kronwalled" Hits

Niklas Kronwall became well-known for his unique hits on the ice. Fans started calling these powerful, open-ice hits "Kronwalled." When an opposing player was hit hard by Kronwall, they were said to have been "Kronwalled." Some of the players who experienced these hits include Anders Lee, Dany Heatley, Auston Matthews, and Ryan Kesler. Sometimes, these hits were so strong that officials called penalties. For example, hits on Matthews, Aleš Hemský, and Martin Havlát resulted in penalties. The hit on Havlát even caused Kronwall to be sent out of the game.

On April 27, 2015, during a playoff game, Kronwall delivered a big hit on Tampa Bay Lightning player Nikita Kucherov. The next day, the NHL suspended Kronwall for the final game of the series.

Personal Life

Niklas has a younger brother named Staffan Kronwall. Staffan also played professional hockey, including some time in the NHL.

In April 2014, Niklas Kronwall and his girlfriend welcomed their first child.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1998	Sweden	EJC			6	1	2	3	6
1999	Sweden	WJC18			7	0	4	4	10
2000	Sweden	WJC	5th		7	5	1	6	10
2001	Sweden	WJC	4th		5	0	1	1	2
2003	Sweden	WC			5	0	0	0	4
2005	Sweden	WC	4th		9	3	3	6	10
2006	Sweden	OG			2	1	1	2	8
2006	Sweden	WC			8	2	8	10	10
2010	Sweden	OG	5th		4	0	0	0	2
2012	Sweden	WC	6th		8	1	0	1	4
2014	Sweden	OG			6	0	2	2	4
Junior totals					25	6	8	14	28
Senior totals					42	7	14	21	42

Achievements and Awards

• Won the Elitserien championship with Djurgårdens IF Hockey in 2000 and 2001.
• Named the Elitserien Junior Hockey Player of the Year in 2001.
• Won a silver medal at the World Championships in 2003.
• Received the Eddie Shore Award as the best defenceman in 2005.
• Named to the AHL First All-Star Team in 2005.
• Won a gold medal at the Winter Olympics in 2006.
• Won a gold medal at the World Championships in 2006.
• Named MVP (Most Valuable Player) and Best Defender at the World Championships in 2006.
• Named to the World Championship All-Star Team in 2006.
• Won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008.
• Won a silver medal at the Winter Olympics in 2014.