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Sunday, February 28, 2010

According to N.Y Post, Henrik is Classy

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Jay Greenberg takes his 14th annual look at the good, bad and ugly of New York sports:

CLASSY
1. Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers: Stops the puck. Stops to talk. Despite the fact that 80 percent of the questions a goalie gets are about ones that got by him, civility never does.





Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/greenberg_best_and_worst_selections_1aIuEG1CcczsBKWyVN3EeN/2#ixzz0gsBrGgkC

Henrik Resumes Practice in New York

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Lundqvist said he needed a couple of days to absorb and get over Sweden’s quarterfinal loss on Wednesday but is now ready to focus on the rest of the NHL season. His trip back to New York was delayed by the bad weather, giving him an extra couple of days away from the rink since the Rangers didn’t practice yesterday, which is when Lundqvist finally made it back to New York. His original flight on Thursday actually made it to New York airspace and was descending when the flight was diverted to Toronto. So Lundqvist spent a couple of days there, bunking one night at ex-teammate and countryman Fredrik Sjostrom’s residence.

“It was great, a fun environment,” Lundqvist said of his second Olympics. “It’s a great city for the Games, I think. It started off pretty good. Then again, when it comes down to one game, the things that could go wrong, did go wrong. It was great to be there but disappointing to lose in the quarterfinals.”

For the record, Lundqvist believes Canada will beat Team USA for the gold. While in Vancouver, Lundqvist said he didn’t attend any other events but did walk around the Olympic Village as he was joined there by his family, including his father, Peter, who underwent brain surgery in Dec., 2007 after suffering an aneurysm. Lundqvist said his father was, “pretty good, hanging in there,” and was planning to visit New York in April.

But while Lundqvist said some comparison could be made to being eliminated from the Olympics before earning a medal and losing in the NHL playoffs, it’s not really the same.

“It’s such a long struggle to get there and the Olympics is just two weeks,” Lundqvist said. “You feel a little loss. But when the (NHL) season is over, there’s a lot more of that feeling. It’s a weird feeling. It’s not a fun feeling.

“Today, I’m focused on the Rangers,” Lundqvist added. “I wanted a couple of days off. But it felt good coming into the rink today.”

Lundqvist also had praise for his new backup, Auld, a 6-foot-5 butterfly goalie.

“It’s a good pickup for us,” Lundqvist said. “Personally, I have to keep playing really well to keep playing, otherwise we’ve got another guy.”

http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/comments/coming_together/

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Henrik Back in N.Y

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According to both Sean Avery and Aaron Voros's Twitter accounts, Henrik landed safely in N.Y a few hours ago and then went out to dinner with his two teammates at Mr. Chow in Tribeca. Welcome back, Henrik.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Ousted 'King' heads home

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Whether for better or worse nobody really knows, but Sweden's surprising quarterfinal elimination by Slovakia late Wednesday night means that Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist will get an unforeseen extra day or two of rest while winger Marian Gaborik soldiers on in pursuit of Olympic gold.
Lundqvist recorded shutouts in his first two matches, but the King's tournament and defense of the 2006 gold came to an end with the 4-3 defeat in which he made only 10 saves. Lundqvist allowed three goals on four shots in the second period, and Gaborik scored his third goal in five games to open the scoring at 7:27.

As such, Lundqvist will return to New York to join his non-Olympic teammates in workouts that commenced on Wednesday, though it is unclear when he will get back on the ice. Complications caused by the snowstorm may prevent his return until tomorrow or Sunday.
There is no NHL regulation mandating when players are obligated to return to their respective teams upon elimination, though clubs have generally given their players until 5 p.m. the day following their final Olympic game to report.
Under adopted NHL guidelines, players on teams that have advanced to today's semifinals -- U.S. vs. Finland followed by Canada vs. Slovakia -- will be permitted to remain in Vancouver through Sunday's closing ceremonies.
The Rangers, who re-open the season on Tuesday in Ottawa, have four players still in medal contention: Chris Drury and Ryan Callahan for the U.S., Gaborik for Slovakia and Olli Jokinen for Finland. Head coach John Tortorella is an assistant for Team USA


Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/rangers/ousted_king_heads_home_SqKaJmSOAKsnzCLo6SO4VO#ixzz0ggKIKRXx

Henrik discusses new long-term contract (2008)

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Lundqvist delighted to be staying with Blueshirts (2008)

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Just like two other popular Rangers goaltenders of recent vintage, Henrik Lundqvist hopes to make an extended run on Broadway, now that he has agreed to a multiyear contract extension with the Blueshirts.

And the chants of "Hen-rik! Hen-rik!" will fill The Garden for years to come just as those of "Rich-ter! Rich-ter!" and "Ed-die! Ed-die!", honoring Rangers legends Mike Richter and Ed Giacomin, did for many years prior to Lundqvist's arrival in New York in the fall of 2005.

"I have loved it here since Day One," said the 25-year-old Lundqvist, who could have been a restricted free agent at the conclusion of this season. "There was no reason to wait for the summer. I wanted to get this done as quickly as possible."

The third-year pro is already a two-time finalist for the Vezina Trophy, which is awarded each season to the league's top goaltender. And Lundqvist has also emerged as a true team leader, as well as one of the most personable and popular Rangers in recent history.

In other words, the Rangers have signed exactly the type of player, and person, any organization would want to have as part of its foundation for an extended period of time.

"Henrik is such a great guy, a great teammate, and one of the best goalies in the league," said teammate, and fellow goaltender, Stephen Valiquette. "Locking him up for long term is such a smart play (by Rangers management) because he means so much to this organization."

Lundqvist burst upon the New York scene playing in 53 games as a rookie in 2005-06, posting a formidable 2.24 goals against average and a sterling .922 save percentage while winning 30 games. He followed that up by playing in 70 matches in his sophomore season a year ago, posting 37 victories, a 2.34 goals against average, and a .917 save percentage. Lundqvist also backstopped the Rangers to a first-round playoff sweep of the Atlanta Thrashers and a near-upset of the favored Buffalo Sabres in the second round of the post-season last spring.

So far this year, the guy they call "Hank" inside the Rangers dressing room has started 50 of the club's 59 games. His 24 victories are tied for fourth-most in the NHL and his seven shutouts are second best. Lundqvist also has a solid 2.37 goals against average and a .906 save percentage.

"Everyone in our room respects what Henrik means to the club," noted Rangers head coach Tom Renney. "He's a tremendous competitor and an elite goaltender."

Success over a long period of time is what will put Lundqvist, who led Sweden to an Olympic gold medal as a 23 year-old in 2006, in the same conversation as Giacomin and Richter of all-time great Rangers goalies.

Giacomin starred in goal for the Blueshirts from 1965-66 until 1975-76. He is the franchise leader in shutouts with 50 (49 in the regular season and 1 in the playoffs) and ranks second in wins with 267. A six-time all star, and the co-winner with teammate Gilles Villemure of the Vezina Trophy in 1971, Giacomin was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987 and had his No. 1 jersey retired by the Rangers two years later.

Richter, who made his NHL debut during the 1989 playoffs against the Penguins, retired in 2003 as the Rangers all-time leader in victories (301) and games played in goal (666). He was a three-time all star and the MVP of the 1994 NHL All Star Game played at Madison Square Garden. And, of course, Richter was in net for all 16 of the team's victories in the 1994 playoffs, leading the Rangers to the fourth Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history. Richter's No. 35 was retired by the Rangers in 2004.

The affable Lundqvist is not about to get caught up in looking too far down the road, however. In fact, his focus is directed at the club's next opponent, the Buffalo Sabres, this Saturday afternoon at MSG. But that focus can not take away the joy of knowing he will be a part of the Rangers organization for many years to come.

"I am excited that this got done, and I am excited to know that I will be a part of this organization for a long time," said Lundqvist. "I am just really happy because I love it here."

Hen-rik! Hen-rik!

Let the chants from the Garden faithful continue.



http://rangers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?bcid=353541

Lundqvist having an impact on Rangers on and off the ice (ESPN.com 2007)

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TORONTO -- If you looked down at the end of the Rangers' bench Saturday night, you would have seen an unusual sight -- Henrik Lundqvist, smiling, baseball cap perched on top his head, watching the video scoreboard, basically hanging out.

You have to wonder whether he needed directions to the backup's perch. After all, this marked the first time this season that Lundqvist did not start and finish a New York Rangers game.
If Lundqvist took advantage of the rare break in his routine to empty his mind and relax -- that was his plan, he said -- it provided an opportune moment to opine on just how good Lundqvist is and just where New York would be without him.
One longtime scout and manager said the answer is simple: The Rangers would be lost without Lundqvist.
The Rangers entered Saturday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs cozily ensconced in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with an 8-7-1 record. This in spite of the fact the Rangers entered play Saturday having scored the fewest goals in the NHL, 31. That's right. A lineup that boasts five-time NHL scoring champion Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan, Scott Gomez, Chris Drury and Martin Straka is dead last in scoring.
That New York hasn't been buried in the standings, the scout said, is thanks almost solely to the heroics of Lundqvist. In 12 of the 16 straight games Lundqvist started this season, he held opponents to two or fewer goals. Which is good because the Rangers have scored two or fewer goals 11 times, 12 if you count Saturday's 3-2 shootout victory. Before Saturday's action, Lundqvist was second in shutouts (4), fourth in GAA (1.62), fifth in save percentage (.940) and tied for second in wins (8).
A Vezina Trophy nominee in his first two NHL seasons, Lundqvist seems headed toward a third nomination. And you know what they say about the charm of the third time.
"As many have said in the past, if your goaltending's in place, you've got a chance every night, and Henrik has certainly done that for us as we've tried to shore up our game and become a more complete team," coach Tom Renney said.
"He's the one guy that's been a constant night after night. As much as we've really sort of fought the frustration and all that rhetoric that goes along with not scoring as much as we'd like to, he really has been good in goal and given us reason to believe we're a decent defensive team."
So, how good is Lundqvist?
Well, a former NHLer and multiple Stanley Cup winner was overheard at a recent Rangers game gesturing at Lundqvist and saying, "There's your next MVP."
Not team MVP -- NHL MVP. As in Hart Trophy winner.
Look around the NHL. Is there a player more important to his team than Lundqvist is to the Rangers? Henrik Zetterberg, Jarome Iginla and Sidney Crosby would all get consideration, but Lundqvist's importance to his team is more stunning given the problems the team has had introducing new talent Drury and Gomez to the lineup.
"I think, coming into this season, people looked at our team and our lineup as an offensive juggernaut, and I think the way things have gone for the first 16 games, it's been the total opposite," with the focus being on sound defensive hockey, New York defenseman Paul Mara said, "and Henrik's the backbone of that."
Given the media scrutiny that would have circled the Rangers had Lundqvist not been stellar, it's entirely possible the calls for significant change -- whether in terms of coaching or personnel -- would have been much more insistent.
In a little more than two NHL seasons, Lundqvist has evolved from simply a great performer to a presence in the veteran-filled Rangers dressing room.
"It's kind of fun to watch, actually. Certainly, [he's] very focused," Renney said. "[His] concentration level is really high. He's almost oblivious to everything else that's going on around him, other than his own preparation, which is good. But what's happening now is this evolution of a presence in our room. Guys just feel really good about the fact that he's our guy.
"Certainly, his performance speaks volumes, naturally, but just to see him emerge as a voice, not real talkative, but just that presence. And the charisma that goes along with leadership. And he's certainly one of our leaders," Renney added.
Lundqvist is big, athletic and technically very sound, the scout said, rarely flopping around a la Dominik Hasek. And Lundqvist appears to be absolutely unflappable, an intangible that has been crucial to the Rangers thus far.
"Off the ice, he's one of the best guys in the locker room," Mara said. "He's great to hang around with, [has a] great personality, [is] easygoing, but at the same time, he's extremely focused like probably no other goalie I've ever seen before."
The predicament facing Renney becomes just how much to use the Swedish star.
At Saturday night's Hall of Fame game, backup Steve Valiquette was terrific, turning aside 32 of 34 shots plus two shootout attempts by the Leafs. But Valiquette is 30 and is no more or less than a bona fide NHL backup. And if the Rangers continue to struggle to generate offense, the temptation to use Lundqvist in long stretches will persist. Indeed, Renney might not have any choice.
But is there a danger in having Lundqvist play 75 games or more, which he is on pace to reach?
"Working with goaltending coach Benoit Allaire, I look for cues now in Henrik's game that might suggest we might be stretching this now, that he needs a break," Renney said.
In fact, Renney's thinking is that he might not even consult Lundqvist, just tell him he's taking a break. Just not too often.
As for Lundqvist, he admitted he was starting to feel the wear and tear.
"I could definitely feel it's been a lot of games," Lundqvist said. "It was Tom's call, but it was funny, we were talking and it's hard for me to say I want to step aside because I want to play."
Ideally, he'd like to play about 70 games, he said.
"I felt good about last year, play around 70 games. But at the same time I have to deserve my starts. It's not like I can go out and say I want to play 70 games if I'm not playing well," Lundqvist said.
That doesn't appear to be an issue.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=3104086

Henrik Lundqvist Swedish Video Interview

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Thursday, February 25, 2010

Henke after the fiasco: "It is a bitter"

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VANCOUVER. Henrik Lundqvist was zero up to the Olympic quarterfinals.
In Slovakia collapsed four goals in just 14 shots on.
- It is a bitter, "said Henrik Lundqvist after 4-3-loss in Vancouver
New York Rangers star Henrik Lundqvist was great Tre Kronor hero when it became Swedish gold in Turin in 2006.
In the final seconds of the Olympic final he saved Olli Jokinen neutral and thus secured his Three Kronors second Olympic gold medal in history.
Lundqvist came to Vancouver as celebrated NHL superstar, and he was superb up to the Olympic quarterfinals.
Nil burst
Against both Germany and Finland, he zero. Slovakia managed to get a hole in Lundqvist in a power play in the second period. Ironically, it was Rangers His friend Marian Gaborik who shot the target.
- They were good in their power play. It was enough. Power-play and counter-attack.
After 1-0 Three Crowns were working in steep uphill.
- I do not know how I dropped the stick there. There was someone who came to it. For me, it is virtually expulsion and of course the judge was there.
- It's frustrating.
Slovakia were 2-0 and got key 3-2, although the power play. Pavol Demitra was shot over Lundqvist's left shoulder.
- This is how it is. When it comes to a match is the difference between winning and losing so incredibly small. They have the extra little luck.

Lundqvist discusses rare off night

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VANCOUVER -- New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist has been so good for Sweden for so long.

In Turin four years ago, The King was one of the main reasons Sweden won a gold medal.

But in Wednesday's 2010 Olympic hockey tournament quarterfinal against Slovakia at Canada Hockey Place, it was a far different story. Lundqvist stopped just 10 of the 14 shots he faced in the game and the opportunistic Slovakians upset the defending gold medalist, 4-3.

Moments after the stunning loss, which signals the end of an era in Swedish hockey, Lundqvist took some time to talk exclusively with NHL.com.

NHL.com: You were so good this whole tournament and then it comes down to this game and things just don't go your way?

Lundqvist: They had a good power play. They pretty much beat us the way we thought they could beat us -- on mistakes and turnovers. They come really fast and they are pretty skilled. We think we were the better team, but they kind of hurt us in their good areas.

NHL.com: You didn't let up one goal in the whole tournament until this game. Is that just the life of a goaltender?

Lundqvist: Yeah, I mean, we played two teams in those games where we played really well and we didn't give up that many odd-man rushes. We didn't give up a lot today either. It was just that they were great when they had their chances there. I felt pretty good first and then I hardly felt the puck, so it was kind of hard to play, actually. I tried to stay in it, but it was hard.

NHL.com: Did you see many of the shots that beat you?

Lundqvist: I was late on the pass. I looked one way and he passed the other way on the first one. The third one, it was a good screen and he [Pavol Demitra] just took a perfect shot. I wish I could play the game again.

NHL.com: On the winning goal, did you even know Kopecky was coming down the middle there?

Lundqvist: I didn't see the guy in the middle and I kind of lost track of the puck, too, after he shot it. I had to go across and obviously you think he's going to shoot it. He's [Marian Hossa]. They just had that little extra luck tonight that they needed. Obviously we took a lot of chances, but they played smart.

NHL.com: Are you stunned? Are you surprised?

Lundqvist: Well, we definitely played well enough to win this game. They played smart but they had that little extra luck they needed. They played smart and they waited for some mistakes. They really focused on their power play and it helped them to win this game.

NHL.com: Do you feel like it is the end of an era for Team Sweden?

Lundqvist: The big part of the team is actually around 25 and 30 right now. We have Lidstrom and Forsberg, yeah; but then we have a bunch of guys that could easily play in the next Olympics. It's tough to realize it is over. We played pretty good. It just wasn't enough.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=518878

Henrik breaks record in loss

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Rangers sniper ends teammate's record shutout streak in 4-3 upset win

Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who helped lead Sweden to a gold medal four years ago, is coming home from the Olympics again -- only this time it won't be with a medal.

Late Wednesday night in Vancouver, Lundqvist and his Swedish teammates were upset by a Slovakia squad that features Lundqvist's fellow Blueshirt Marian Gaborik. The Slovaks, who never trailed after taking a 1-0 lead on a Gaborik power-play goal early in the second period, held on for a 4-3 win and a somewhat improbable berth in the tournament semifinals.

The four goals allowed Wednesday were a tough way for Lundqvist to end what had been a brilliant follow-up to his performance in the 2006 Olympics at Torino, Italy. For nearly 150 minutes at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, no opposing player had been able to put a shot past him.

Indeed, heading into the quarterfinal game against the Slovaks at Canada Hockey Place, Lundqvist, who had picked up back-to-back preliminary-round shutouts against Germany and Finland, had been impenetrable. But his streak had to end sometime, and to Blueshirts fans -- and perhaps even Lundqvist himself -- it's hardly a surprise thatGaborik was the one to do it.

Gaborik scored on a power play at 7:34 of the second period, ending Lundqvist's streak and setting the tone for a tremendous win by Slovakia.

As the teams shook hands at the end of the game, Lundqvist and Gaborik gave each other a warm hug. Both men were smiling, and it was clear their friendship as Blueshirts transcended even what was taking place around them.

The real hero for the Slovaks might have been goaltender Jaroslav Halak of the Montreal Canadiens. Halak made 26 saves for the win on a night when the Swedes outshot the Slovaks by a wide 29-14 margin. Slovakia made the most of its chances against Lundqvist, scoring on three of four shots in the second period and one of three in the third.

Gaborik became the fourth Rangers player to reach the semifinals, joining Chris Drury and Ryan Callahan of Team USA, and Olli Jokinen of Team Finland. Making it to the gold-medal game will be a tremendous challenge for Slovakia, as it must find a way to beat a Team Canada squad that routed Russia 7-3 in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Friday's other semifinal pits Team USA, the No. 1 seed, against Finland for the right to face the Canada-Slovakia winner in the gold-medal game on Sunday. Friday's losing teams will play for bronze on Saturday night.

On Wednesday, Gaborik saw 19:02 of ice time to rank fourth among Slovak forwards. He scored on one of his two shots on goal and continues to lead the entire tournament with 27 shots in five games.

Lundqvist's stats were equally impressive up until Wednesday night's final 40 minutes. Dating back to the gold medal game vs. Finland at Torino, Lundqvist had managed to set a modern-day Olympic record with a shutout streak of 172:34. Once the streak ended, courtesy of Gaborik, Slovakia needed only 37 more seconds to make it a 2-0 game and set off a wild second period in which the teams combined for five goals.

The whole play developed after Gaborik had just missed on a shot from slot that went wide right. Lundqvist subsequently lost his stick as the Slovak pressure continued, and defenseman Henrik Tallinder handed his stick to the goalie. That left Lundqvist playing net with a teammate's stick and Tallinder forced to kill a penalty with no stick at all. As the power play continued, Marian Hossa found Gaborik alone in the right circle and the Rangers sniper ripped a drive past Lundqvist with a needle-threading shot just inside the right post.

Slovak teammates, including 6-foot-9 defenseman Zdeno Chara jumped on Gaborik in celebration of the goal, which set off another quick score.

Almost immediately after Gaborik's goal, Slovakia sprang out of the neutral zone with a 2-on-1 rush. Defenseman Andrej Sekera of the Buffalo Sabres came down the middle with Richard Zednik handling the puck to his right. Zednik sent a perfect centering pass to the oncoming Sekera, who banged a shot past Lundqvist for a stunning 2-0 lead over the defending Olympic gold medalists at the 8:11 mark.

Sweden was hardly fazed by the Slovak scoring outburst, as the Swedes would respond with their own two-goal spurt in another 37-second stretch to tie the game.

Patric Hornqvist of the Nashville Predators cut Slovakia's lead to 2-1 when he backhanded a perfect pass from Peter Forsberg past Jaroslav Halak at 13:49. Forsberg had fed Hornqvist from behind the net shortly after the Swedes had gained control of the puck when it took a strange bounce off the glass in Slovakia's zone.

Sweden quickly tied the game at 14:26 of the second period. This time, Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Red Wings drove the puck down to the base of the right faceoff circle and backhanded a centering pass to Forsberg. The puck never reached the Swedish star, however, as it instead hit Slovak defenseman Milan Jurcina's shin and bounced into the net.

Just when it looked like Sweden would take control of the game, the Slovaks took full advantage of a Tobias Enstrom tripping penalty, called at 18:16 of the second period after Slovakia applied pressure during nearly 30 seconds of delayed-call time.

Pavol Demitra scored the go-ahead goal, giving Slovakia a 3-2 lead at 19:12 of the second. Gaborik was out on the ice with the power play unit, working the puck along the right-wing boards with Marian Hossa, who sent it back to Chara at the right point. Chara spotted Demitra walking in from the left point to the top of the left circle and got him the puck in time for a blast into the top right corner of the Swedish net, a laser that barely gave Lundqvist a chance to react.

Slovakia stretched its lead to what appeared to be a commanding 4-2 advantage at 9:01 of the third, just a few minutes after killing off a roughing penalty to Gaborik.

Once again it was Demitra playing a huge role in the goal, as he took off leading a 2-on-1 rush up the ice out of the neutral zone, skated toward the right circle and fed a perfect cross-ice pass to Marian Hossa. Lundqvist dove to make a tough save on Hossa's shot, but Tomas Kopecky, Hossa's teammate with the Chicago Blackhawks, was following up the play and in perfect position to knock in the rebound for the surprising 4-2 lead.

Sweden was not going to go quietly, however. Just 38 seconds after the Kopecky goal, Swedish star Daniel Alfredsson trimmed the lead down to 4-3 when he scored off a pass from Nicklas Backstrom, who had picked up the puck behind the net to Halak's left and found Alfredsson alone between the circles at the 9:39 mark.

But it was too little, too late for the Swedes, who became the fourth consecutive Olympic gold medalist to exit the Games before the tournament semifinals.

http://rangers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=518876&navid=DL|NYR|home

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Some More Random Pictures of Henrik

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Since there's no news on Henrik today, I once again am posting some random pictures of him. Enjoy

Henrik Lundqvist Versus Commercial (2009)

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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Henrik's Shut out Reward

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VANCOUVER. When he keeps zero home in New York he was rewarded with a tasty cake.
But in the Olympics may Henrik Lundqvist manage without goodies.
- Yes, here, we have no goalie coach, says "The King" with a wide smile after another hundred percent effort in the Olympics end.
There currently goalkeeper coach of the New York Rangers, the acclaimed Benioit Allaire, who introduced the little tradition in Madison Square Garden.
When his Swedish star shuts his bag completely, then get him a cake after the final whistle.
Adaptation to the Three Crowns
Now, he has zero two Olympic matches in a row (120 minutes!) And should be entitled sötsugen.
But the Three Crowns offers not a few goodies.
- No, I can do without. We have no goalie coach here, "he says and laughs.
The latter is obviously a facetious little nod to the fact that the team management, to general surprise, save on a great goalkeeper coach service.
Celebrates the slopes
"King Henry" - which he called home in Manhattan - can be to enjoy success in Vancouver without sugar supplementation.
- Yes, this is fun. It felt a bit tough at the beginning of the match today, when we took the expulsions against a team that really has been good in the powerplay, "he says.
- But our game in the numerical disadvantage was really great today. It is a pleasure to play with these hills.
Lundqvist will return all the time to play the hills he had in front of the Three Crowns.
- They are so calm, make the zone very well. And these cover shots all the time. The Finns did not put many shots and did not create many chances. Then it is not so difficult, according to the date hundraprocentige keeper.

http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/vintersport/os2010/hockey/article6654315.ab

Some Random Pictures of Henrik

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Since I couldn't find any news about Henrik today, I decided I would post some random pictures of him. Enjoy

Monday, February 22, 2010

Sweden's Lundqvist remains level-headed

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Henrik Lundqvist has been perfect so far in these Olympic Games. He shut out Germany Wednesday and followed it up with another shutout against Finland on Sunday night.

NHL.com caught up with the New York Rangers' goaltender as he and the rest of the defending Olympic champs left the Canada Hockey Place Ice following the 3-0 victory over Finland that clinched Group C for Sweden and gave it a bye into the quarterfinals and the second seed behind Team USA.

NHL.com: Is your plan to allow no goals through the entire Olympics?

Lundqvist: The team has been playing outstanding so far. I had some luck a couple times and they bailed me out each time.

NHL.com: Sweden swept Group C and gets a bye into the quarterfinals. What is the team's mindset?

Lundqvist: The first round here has been good for us. It seemed like we raised our game each game like we should. And now we get a good day off tomorrow, a good practice Tuesday and get ready for Wednesday.

But it's just down to one game. So it doesn't matter how we did over these three games. We have to start over now.

NHL.com: The only blemish tonight was the parade of Swedish players to the penalty box against a team that came in with a sizzling power play.

Lundqvist: Yeah, and we talked about their power play. They had 50 percent going into this game. We had a lot of respect for their power play. But we did an amazing job on the PK. And I think that was the difference. That was key for us, that we could kill all those minutes. They had a lot of opportunities on their power play, but we made it tough for them to take what they wanted.

NHL.com: You are the defending Olympic champs and, since many of your players return from Torino, you must feel as if you know what it takes.

Lundqvist: The thing is, you can feel so good and then you go into the game and get a couple of bad bounces and it can turn in the wrong direction. So yeah, we're happy with the first three games, but on Wednesday, it doesn't really matter. You have to start over. Your mindset has to be the first five minutes.

And you just have to be so solid, you can't really afford to take too many penalties or make many mistakes.

We feel good. We should feel good. At the same time, on Wednesday, it's just down to one game. It doesn't matter what you've done in the past.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=518503

Some Insights and Advice from Henrik

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Insights and Advice

Workouts
Cardio
I do high intensity sprints on skates as well as quick hits of cycling with 5 to 10 seconds between each interval.
Strength Training
I hold a set of free weights and run through a sequence of ten to fifteen lunges, squats, and one-legged squats with no rest in between.
Core
Medicine Ball toss: I practice moving through the 3 main goalie stances (standing at the net, butterfly position, and a kick save), and I catch a medicine ball hurled at me just out of my reach, forcing me to rotate to have to catch the ball. Then I stabilize myself and toss it back.
Cable Pulls: I get into a kick-save stance four to six feet to the side of a Cybex machine, holding the weighted cables straight out in front of me. I stabilize myself while rotating from an upright position to fully bent over my outstretched leg, which works my lats and abs.
Plyometrics
Side-to-side hurdles: I jump over a six-, twelve-, or eighteen-inch plastic hurdle laterally. Next, I'll stand in front of a two-foot-high box and spring onto the top with both feet, then step down, repeating this eight times. This improves my ability to make lightning-fast movements from a standing start.

Mental Focus
Not thinking about hockey helps me focus when I return to the ice. Before games, I plug in my iPod for a motivating power-punk block of Sum 41 or Blink 182. After the games, when I try to relax, it’s more Swedish rock, softer music, and I go out and do fun stuff. I play guitar, but it doesn’t matter really what it is—just do something that keeps you away from hockey.

Sleep
I advise to try and get nine to ten hours minimum

Diet
A typical breakfast for me is oatmeal and a bagel; lunch is pasta with meat sauce. It’s also a game-day tradition to gather for an all-you-can eat buffet of pasta, rice, potatoes, fish, and meat. Hydration is essential.


(I have noticed during post-game interviews that Henrik tends to drink Gatorade Rain No Excuses Berry during games and after games. Hence, the purple colored liquid always on his jerseys. He also drinks Red Bull after games.)










Taken from Henrik-Lundqvist.com

Lundqvist: Unbelievably great in their own zone

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Two matches - two zeros. Three Kronors Henrik Lundqvist continues to play on top of the Olympic tournament.
"We played so amazingly well. There is a calmness in the team and we played incredibly well in its own zone, "said Lundqvist told SVT Sport.
Lundqvist a night of a couple of spectacular saves. Among other things, he nodded off the puck on two occasions.
"I do not like having the glove in front of your face, then nods, I prefer to remove the puck," explains Lundqvist their nods.
The Swedish goalkeeper has not released a single puck past on the two opening matches, but he did not think he had to play on top to keep the two straight zeroes.
"I must be stable, then we win. I do not need to do something extra, "said Lundqvist.
He chose to keep the game puck after the victory of the match against Finland.
-It is here in safe custody, "said Lundqvist, and shows off the glove.

svt.se

Lundqvist shuts out Finns in Vancouver

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Rangers goaltender perfect for Sweden so far at 2010 Olympics


Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist picked up his second shutout in as many starts at the 2010 Olympics on Sunday night in Vancouver, as Lundqvist's Swedish team dominated Finland in a 3-0 victory to clinch the No. 2 seed in the quarterfinal round.

Only Team USA, which will go into the quarters as the top-seeded team, finished higher than Sweden in preliminary-round play by virtue of a tiebreaker format. Sweden and the U.S. are the only teams that have won all three of their games in regulation. Russia also has three wins, but one came in overtime.

Lundqvist, who blanked Germany in his first start on Wednesday, had an easy night against the rival Finns in a rematch of the 2006 gold-medal game. He needed only 20 saves in this shutout and saw very few high-quality scoring chances.

The Swedes outshot the Finns 32-20 for the night, and only the outstanding netminding of Finland's Miikka Kiprusoff prevented the game from getting out of hand.

While it was a big night for Lundqvist, it was a disappointing one for Rangers teammate Olli Jokinen. The Finnish forward, who also lost to Lundqvist in the 2006 gold-medal game, finished with two shots on goal in 13:34 of ice time on Sunday. He had the first -- and one of the best -- shots for Finland with an in-close backhand just one munute into the game, but he spent much of his evening on the bench while Finnish teammates killed penalties.

Jokinen was a part of Finland's power play, which had dominated its first two games before going 0-for-7 against Lundqvist and the Swedes.

The good news for Finland, however, is that a 2-1 preliminary-round record earned the Finns a No. 4 seed and a bye into the quarterfinals. The Finns will not have to qualify and will instead play their next game on Wednesday against the winner of Tuesday's Czech Republic-Latvia qualifying match.

Loui Eriksson of the Dallas Stars, who scored twice for Sweden, notched the eventual game-winner during a 5-on-3 power play just 6:41 into the opening period. Eriksson put in the rebound of Nicklas Backstrom bad-angle shot from the right side. The puck actually skipped through the crease past Kiprusoff, and Eriksson was stationed just outside crease to the goaltender's right. Only 17 seconds were left in the two-man advantage when Eriksson scored.

Lundqvist faced five Finnish shots in the first period, 10 in the second and another five in the third. He saw virtually every shot, as the Finns failed to create adequate traffic in front of the net despite Jokinen's repeated attempts to screen him on the power play.

Backstrom, of the Washington Capitals, made it 2-0 at 4:19 of the second period when he took a pass from Daniel Sedin in the left circle and fired it up into top right corne. Sedin had stolen puck behind Kiprusoff's net and sent a perfect pass out to Backstrom.

Lundqvist made one his best saves just before the game's midpoint when he stopped a partial breakaway by Jere Lehtinen, who had snuck in behind the otherwise impenetrable Swedish defense. He also made a couple of stops with his mask, including one that he headed into the crowd during the third period.

Eriksson scored his second goal of game on another power play at 18:08 of the second period. The Swedish forward picked up the puck at the base of the right circle and swooped up into the slot and around the top of Kiprusoff's crease, before depositing a hard, low shot into the far corner of the net. Backstrom picked up his third point of the night with an assist on the play.

Finland caused some of its own problems, including a five-minute major to Joni Pitkanen, who was thrown out of the game for a dangerous hit to the head against Nashville forward Patrc Hornqvist.

http://rangers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=518501&navid=DL|NYR|home

Sunday, February 21, 2010

SVT Henrik Lundqvist Swedish Interview

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The above video is a Henrik Lundqvist interview that took place this season at Madison Square Garden. The entire video is in Swedish, but I decided to post it anyway for all my Swedish readers out there. As someone who has watched countless English Lundqvist interviews throughout the years- I have to say it is quite strange to watch and hear him speak Swedish. If any Swedish readers out there would like to translate the interview for the rest of us, it would be greatly appreciated.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Injury interferes Henrik Lundqvist (Hockeyexpressen.se)

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VANCOUVER. Henrik Lundqvist is disturbed by a groin injury and rested entirely from Belarus Match.
- It has not felt one hundred since the beginning of the season, "said Lundqvist to HockeyExpressen.se.

Since early last fall have Henrik Lundqvist suffered a groin injury.
Yet New York Rangers star goalie played 54 NHL games. Only three NHL goalies have played more matches.
Olympic goalies Martin Brodeur (Canada), Jonathan Quick (USA) and Miikka Kiprusoff (Finland).

Back to Finland
Henrik Lundqvist was free to Belarus and was a guest rather than SVT's studio during the match. Jonas Gustavsson played and Stefan Liv sat on the bench.
In Finland, Lundqvist back in goal.
Although no body felt one hundred percent fresh in the NHL, he has everything under control.
- It will not do now. But it feels okay, it does, "said Lundqvist.

Lundqvist was zero in the Olympic premiere (Hockeyexpressen.se)

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VANCOUVER. Henrik Lundqvist saved an Olympic gold for Tre Kronor in Turin in 2006.
In Germany in the 2010 Olympics, he got his first Olympic zero.
- It was important. I'll save the game puck, "said Lundqvist.
Tre Kronor praised his goalie Henrik Lundqvist.
- Henke was good. All others need to do better, "said hill Mattias Ohlund.
- I think Henke played really well today. He did his job and saved us there for five against three. He got a good start also, I think, "said striker Loui Eriksson.
- In the third period, they tried really to come back to us and he made some really good saves, "said coach Bengt-Ake Gustafsson.
Secured gold
In Turin, Henrik Lundqvist won five of six games he played. In the Olympic final against Finland, he stopped Olli Jokinen from doing 3-3 at the end and secured the Swedish gold.
In Vancouver Lundqvist got a nice start and passed all 21 German shots.
But in game three against five in the first period, he was using the bar when Jochen Hecht shot, and seconds later the post when Christian Ehrhoff guns blazing.
- It was a key sequence that we manage to kill it. Then we target in our power play. This may be the law, they can fight until they drop, "said Lundqvist to HockeyExpressen.se.
"Van that has been easy for themselves"
- I was a little nervous actually. Fairly high tension before the match. We are so accustomed to having their routines all the time. You play 82 games over there (in the NHL). Now come here so it's all new.
Henrik Lundqvist explains:
- It is difficult for ordinary people to understand. How we eat, how we carried, we shall through security. It is a process to get to matches. We're used to be quite easy for themselves ...
He had not at the 2-0-victory against Germany.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Henrik thanks fans for coming to Casino Night 2010

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Henrik Recalls 2006 Gold-Metal Game

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Lundqvist gets a day off at Olympics

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Swedes elect to rest top goalie for Belarus game, save him for Finland


Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was given the opportunity to enjoy a breather on Friday afternoon at the Olympics in Vancouver.

Henrik Lundqvist Although Lundqvist's Swedish team was facing Belarus, Swedish coach Bengt Gustafsson chose to rest Lundqvist in preparation for Sunday's game against Finland -- the team Lundqvist and Sweden beat for the 2006 Olympic gold medal.

Lundqvist's day off didn't hurt the Swedes, who beat Belarus 4-2 behind two goals from Daniel Alfredsson. Swedish goaltender Jonas Gustavsson made 17 saves as the Swedes outshot Belarus by a wide 38-19 margin.


After taking a 3-0 lead midway through the second period, the Swedes saw Belarus cut it to 3-2 in the third period, but that was as close as winless Belarus would come. Alfredsson iced the game with his second goal at 19:49 of the third.

With Lundqvist not in uniform for the Friday Group C round-robin game against Belarus, the Swedes started Gustavsson, an NHL rookie this season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Backing up Gustavsson was Stefan Liv, who plays for Jonkoping in the Swedish elite league.

Lundqvist will be back in goal on Sunday when the Swedes face the Finns in the final round-robin game on Sunday at midnight ET. That game is expected to decide the group championship heading into the quarterfinal round.

With Lundqvist out of the lineup on Friday, the only other Rangers player on the schedule is Olli Jokinen, who will skate for Finland against Germany at midnight ET. Jokinen has a goal in one tournament game so far.

http://rangers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=518262

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Henrik Lundqvist Post Game Interview on NBCOlympics.com

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http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/assetid=c2001e70-8980-4c72-ad09-740465480233.html#lundqvist+shutout+germany

Lundqvist opens Olympics with shutout Rangers goalie picks up right where he left off as Swedes top Germans

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Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist picked up the first Olympic shutout of his career with Team Sweden on Wednesday night, as the defending Olympic champions beat Germany 2-0 in their Group C round-robin opener

Lundqvist, whose last Olympic start was in Sweden's 2006 gold-medal win over Finland, stopped all 21 German shots at Canada Hockey Place in Vancouver, helping the Swedes get off on the right foot.

"It was a good start for our whole team and for me. It was a pretty solid game," Lundqvist told NBC and MSG broadcaster Joe Micheletti. "I felt like I faced 40 shots, because it was so wram in there and I was sweating a lot."

With his victory, Lundqvist became the fourth straight Blueshirt to play in a tournament-opening victoryn. Rangers captain Chris Drury and alternate captain Ryan Callahan won with Team USA over Switzerland on Tuesday, and Rangers forward Olli Jokinen was part of Finland's 5-1 win over Belarus in an earlier game on Wednesday.

Rangers scoring leader Marian Gaborik and his Slovak teammates were set to face former Blueshirts star Jaromir Jagr and the Czech Republic in Wednesday's final game. Gaborik, who cut his knee on Lundqvist's skate at a Feb. 9 Rangers practice, was not expected to play, but ended up dressing for the game and was in the lineup late Wednesday, skating on a line with Jozef Stumpel and Ziggy Palffy.

On Tuesday, Slovakia's team doctor had said he thought it might be best for Gaborik to sit out the two early games, particularly since all teams will still have a chance to qualify for the tournament quarterfinals regardless of their record after round-robin play concludes on Sunday.

As he has been throughout his career with the Rangers, Lundqvist was particularly sharp in the third period when Germany reached desperation time. He stopped all 11 shots he faced over the final 20 minutes and made two particularly big saves on long blasts by defenseman Jakub Ficenic with roughly five minutes left in the game.

With just under four minutes left, Lundqvist made perhaps his best save of the night against Germany's Andre Rankel to preserve the shutout.

Despite the late need for his services, Lundqvist's Swedish teammates made it a relatively easy evening for him. The Swedes outshot the Germans 25-21 and had the puck for much of the game. When they weren't attacking in the German zone, Swedish players were clamping down defensively and making sure Lundqvist saw all the shots that came his way.

"You can just see all the talent on this team and the way they control the puck," Lundqvist said of his Swedish teammates. "It's pretty nice to be back there (behind them)."

Even Boston Bruins forward Marco Sturm, who had the best scoring chances against Lundqvist throughout the night, didn't have much time to finish any of those plays. His most dangerous chance came with just under 11 minutes left in the second period, but his backhander from just outside the crease went right into Lundqvist's pads.

Wednesday night also saw strong goaltending from Germany's Thomas Greiss, who made 23 saves. The San Jose Sharks' backup netminder, who has seen action in 12 NHL games this season, was particularly sharp through the first 30 minutes. He stopped all six Swedish shots in the first period and didn't allow a goal until defenseman Mattias Ohlund broke through on a power play at 4:29 of the second period.

Unfortunately for Greiss, the power-play tally was all Sweden would need to get a win for Lundqvist. Germany, which had earlier missed scoring on a 5-on-3 opportunity with Stefan Kronwall and Johnny Oduya in the penalty box for Sweden, allowed the Swedes to capitalize on a boarding penalty to Marcel Muller at 3:12 of the second.

Picking up the puck at the point, Ohlund walked in to the top of left circle and fired a hard slap shot into the top right corner.

The Swedes stretched their lead to a more comfortable 2-0 when Washington Capitals star Nicklas Backstrom emerged from the right corner, cut across the goal line and slid a perfect pass past the front of the crease to wide-open Dallas Stars forward Loui Eriksson at 14:13 of the middle period. Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Tobias Enstrom, who had started the play, also picked up an assist on Eriksson's goal.

Germany deserved credit for putting up a strong fight against the defending champions. Coached by former NHL defenseman and Stanley Cup champion Uwe Krupp, the Germans had only seven NHL players in their lineup on Wednesday, but kept it competitive from the start -- even managing to outshoot the Swedes 7-6 in the first period.

Lundqvist and Team Sweden return to action at 3 p.m. ET on Friday against Belarus. Games on the schedule for Thursday feature Callahan and Drury skating for Team USA vs. Norway in the afternoon and Gaborik's Slovak team against Russia in the late-night matchup.

http://rangers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=518069

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Du Gamla Du Fria - 2010 Olympic Mask - Henrik Lundqvist, Team Sweden, Olympics 2010, 2009-2010

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Du Gamla Du Fria - 2010 Olympic Mask - Henrik Lundqvist, Team Sweden, Olympics 2010, 2009-2010







For a closer look at Henrik's 2010 Team Sweden Olympic mask, check out the link above.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Lundqvist saves Rangers, who rally past Lightning (N.Y Post article, 2010)

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By Larry Brooks


So the Rangers have stanched the arterial bleeding that just over a week ago had been threatening their viability as a playoff contender. The tourniquet was applied by Henrik Lundqvist, Doctor of Goaltending and first responder.
The King is on his way to the Vancouver Olympics to attempt to defend the Gold Medal that he and Team Sweden won in 2006, while the Blueshirts are on their way into the winter recess having won three of their last four following yesterday's 5-2 victory at the Garden over the Lightning.
And they've gotten back on their skates behind Lundqvist, who has surrendered a sum of seven goals over the last four matches, including Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Nashville. The goaltender's brief, late January-early February dip in which he lost six straight in regulation is a thing of the past.
"I know what I have to do; I know I have to challenge myself to be consistently at the top of my game," said Lundqvist, whose exceptional work gave his team the opportunity to rally after trailing 2-0 after the first period. "I know I have to be up there to give us the chance to win."
Of course the Blueshirts would have a better chance to win if they play the full 60 minutes instead of the 20, 30 or 40 that has become their M.O. through a season in which they've been outscored by an aggregate 53-45 in the first period.
"The way we bounced back was impressive, but it is just not acceptable for us to have a first period like this in which we were dead and lackadaisical," Chris Drury said. "Obviously we have to correct this as soon as we get back. We leave ourselves with no margin for error when we're always trying to come back."
The Rangers first were thrown a lifeline by Sean Avery, who beat Mike Smith on the first penalty shot of his career at 1:40 of the second after being tripped on a breakaway. Silent Sean, a career 0-for-2 in shootouts, went up top from a seemingly impossible wide angle after cutting right to left with a nifty pump-fake as part of the repertoire.
"He's done that in practice and I challenged him by saying he would never do that in a game," Lundqvist, who made 27, said. "But he did it and it was huge goal."
The goal was followed 15 seconds thereafter by a huge pad save by Lundqvist on a Nate Thompson backhand and then four minutes later by another huge pad save by the King, this time on Martin St. Louis' two-on-one try at the left porch. Vinny Prospal tied the game on the ensuing rush at 6:07.
Erik Christensen then scored twice with 1:46 before Drury nailed it down with an empty-netter. Wonder of wonders, the Blueshirts scored five times without Marian Gaborik to lean up, the Slovakian Olympian out nursing the right thigh gash he sustained last Tuesday.
"Sometimes, because Gabby is such a great scorer, the mentality is to wait for him to do it, or try to force him the puck even if a play is not there," said Drury. "Without him, the rest of all have more responsibility."
With or without The Great Gabby, though, the responsibility is always the same for Lundqvist.
"It's hard for us to win if the goalie only plays OK," said the goalie. "I know I have to play great."


Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/rangers/king_of_the_rink_Cl1J02hK2fT2E606PhBz1L#ixzz0fe0WQr9P

NHLPA.com | News | Headlines | ‘King Henrik’ set to defend his crown

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NHLPA.com | News | Headlines | ‘King Henrik’ set to defend his crown

N.Y Post Serby's Sunday Q&A With Henrik Lundqvist (2006)

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Q: How would winning a Stanley Cup compare to the gold medal?

A: Much more emotional to win a Stanley Cup because you work with all the guys the whole year and it's a lot of games and probably more intense. The Olympics
were two weeks. At the same time, it means so much for a lot of people and the whole country. You want both. It's hard to choose.

Q: How crazy was it after you won the gold medal?

A: At first you're so fired up, just screaming, everybody's so happy. After that, you get so calm. The whole night you're just relaxing and enjoying the
moment.

Q: What was it like when you brought it home to Stockholm?

A: You saw all the papers, what they'd written about you, because you didn't get that feeling during the Olympics. You were in the village, you played and
played and didn't realize how big it was. We drove in and people just stopped on the street and started cheering for us when we were on the bus. There were
30,000 or 40,000 people waiting for us.

Q: Where is the gold medal?

A: In a glass box.

Q: Describe what you're like on game day.

A: Very serious. I'm focused the whole day.

Q: Do you play better angry?
A: Yeah.

Q: Even during the game you're angry?

A: Yeah. My game is built on being very aggressive. When I'm a little bit angry I play better.

Q: So during a game, when you're in goal, do you actually hate the other team?

A: (Laughs). Sometimes I try to just mentally prepare for the game, I just try to hate them, yeah. Not really hate them, but I try to ... I don't like them
during the game. I try to build up an opponent that's not gonna beat us, I'm gonna beat them. So I want to be a bit ... angry (chuckles).

Q: How do you cope with the pressure as a goalie?

A: Sometimes you think, "Oh, I have to win this game." The only thing you can do is try to help the team. You can't score, so focus on your game and see it
as a big challenge.

Q: Mike Richter?
A: I didn't see him play much, but the things I remember are his quick feet. He was so fast from side to side.

Q: Martin Brodeur?
A: Great timing at everything. He's playing old school too, doesn't play like a butterfly goalie like almost the rest of the league. He plays more standup,
small pads, and he's very quick.

Q: What's so great about New York City?

A: Whatever you want to do, it's there. You've got shows, you've got concerts, you've got great shopping, restaurants. And then also to play in New York as an athlete, it's amazing.

Q: Why?

A: The support. They're really into the sport, and they know a lot about hockey. It's fun to play here.

Q: What do you feel inside when they chant your name?

A: The fans in Sweden would scream my name. I didn't think they would do it here, especially that fast. Of course you get proud. At the same time you get
very excited to play and you want to perform even better, you want to play your best and win, because you know they will really appreciate it.

Q: One thing you wish you could change about yourself?

A: Loosen up a little bit on game day (laughs).

Q: What makes Jagr so good?

A: He's so strong with the puck. When you watch him play, the guys can't really reach the puck because he's so strong and uses his body so well to cover it.

And he makes the players around him very good.

Q: Your girlfriend (Therese) cooks for you.

A: She's probably the most caring person I know.

Q: Any thoughts of marriage?

A: Not yet. In Sweden, we're not that fast as you guys over here.

Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?

A: I competed in skiing when I was young. I grew up in a ski village and my dad was a ski instructor. Me and my brother competed in downhill.

Q: The best place to shop in New York?

A: I like to be down in SoHo and walk around there.
Q: Three wishes?

A: Stanley Cup would be nice. Stay healthy for the rest of my life (chuckles). Endless amount of money (smiles).

Q: Favorite athlete outside hockey?

A: Tiger Woods. Just the way he's so professional in everything he does.

Q: Idols growing up?

A: My first idol was a Swedish goalie, Peter Lindmark. When I got older I started to watch more and more NHL and it was Patrick Roy and Dominic Hasek.

Q: What are your memories about the '94 Olympics?

A: Forsberg's penalty shot and Tommy Salo's save.

Q: Did you always want to be a goalie?

A: I had my twin brother back in Sweden. Someone had to be in the net when we played on the street and usually it was me.

Q: Best piece of advice from your parents?

A: Keep both feet on the ground.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: "Old School."

Q: Favorite actor?

A: Will Ferrell.

Q: Favorite actress?

A: Angelina Jolie.

Q: Favorite singer?

A: Bruce Springsteen.
Q: Favorite meal?

A: Sea bass at Tao.
Q: Favorite New York restaurant?

A: The best food ... Nobu. But I like the atmosphere at Tao. Some nights it's more easygoing. Some nights it's more like a nightclub and restaurant.
Q: What would you say to Ranger fans?

A: Enjoy the moment.




Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/serby_sunday_with_henrik_lundqvist_0DSjEwdSKM8EQkFKNbJsNK#ixzz0faI9ONKN

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Henrik and Joel Lundqvist Swedish Glamour Magazine Interview (2009)

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Elin Kling meet twins Lundqvist

It is Henry who is the famous, but both twins Lundqvist are stars in the NHL. GLAMOR lunchdejtare Elin Kling met Henrik and Joel, and talked about gaystämplar, hockey wives and obese professional salaries.

Published: 2009-12-09
Each issue of GLAMOR lunch on fashion and beauty blogger profile Elin Kling with a celebrity. Do not miss!

Elin Kling lunch dating for the day is Henrik and Joel Lundqvist, hockey twins who both went through Frölunda to the NHL. Henry is still there and play for the New York Rangers while Joel left the Dallas Stars and returned home to assume the role of captain in Frölunda. The brothers have just plåtats Brothers for new Christmas campaign.

Elin: Hi! Is it cool if we go in time before the order? We have only one hour for us and this is yielding 25 000 questions ...
Henry: Haha, absolutely!

Okay. How did the plate, no? You are such top models!
H: Haha! Yes, it was fun!

Were you satisfied with the styling?
H: Yes, absolutely! It was a great team, and even if you have plĂĄtats for many other magazines before so it was nice to do something together, it's the first time.

What is your inner fashion spirit else?
H: It has grown well over the years. But we two have quite different styles. I'm more dressar while Joel is more casual and sporty. I do not like T-shirt, I've always shirt. Sometimes my friends wonder if I'm going away on something, though I really only be träna.

Henrik, you've been chosen as Sweden's best-dressed man, and even the world's best-dressed man! What happened there? Nah, I am just kidding - but what fun!
H: It was King's newspaper readers, and I have much to thank the King, who always makes fair and thoroughly accommodating pictures that I feel comfortable with. It's probably a lot about how to be made in the media.

Who would you like to change the closet with?
Joel: Beckham, he varies between dressar good look and the sporty.
H: A few years ago I tested a lot, I did not know what I liked. But now the last few years I drive very Dresser and classic. I like the course to be dressed up.

But the current mood then, Joel. When I lived in Mariestad I was dating a hockey guy who was kind like a teddy bear, but as soon as he was on the ice, he was crazy forest and smashed everything he saw. Is it something you recognize? Nah?
J: I'm more calm and non-aggressive on the ice, although I have learned to curb it a bit there.

But it is not too nice to mess a bit on the ice? Get some aggression?
H: Haha, yes. But it can not be pissed off on the ice. We must be focused. But of course, if there is no one messes with that press like him a little extra. But you can not go around and chase people and be tokförbannad, then you lose it a bit.

Another thing, I also came up yesterday during my little google trip is that you, Henry, serves 6 875 000 dollars per year. It's totally bananas! Is it true?
H: Yes, it has really gone in steps, but they have become accustomed to having money.
But what do you do with all that money?
H: apartments, cars and the rest in the bank. Then I try to live good. You should have fun and feel good.
J: Yes, you only live once.

Two years ago, I and my friend Linn that we would be the opportunity to indulge in lunch at Signatures, each Wednesday. Today is my life and I do miss those special occasions. What is luxury for you, you can of course buy anything?
H: When I went in and bought my car, just pointed to it, I have, it was luxury for me.
J: But also smĂĄgrejer. As always submit to the dry cleaner, it's a luxury for me.

Should I be envious of your wives? Is the shopaholics?
J: Oh, many have the impression that it would be so glamorous to be hockeyfru, but it's not. They are alone, we travel all very. Okay, maybe you can go shopping, but how fun is it in the long run?
H: It's great fun!
J: Yeah, but you have to have any vested interest. My wife did not even work in the United States.

What do your girl a typical day in New York, Henry? She must after all be a little better than, for example, Oksana which may hang in Saudi Arabia ...
H: It must be really tough! There is so much to do in New York, it helps tremendously. Otherwise, she has recently had meetings with the interior designer for our apartment. Since she is often Guide, she has a lot friends who come to see.

What is required to be a good hockeyfru? I with my 55 000 projects had perhaps been too restless to take on that role?
J: Are you used to have stuff around him, it feels not enough as there is so much to do. You can go and train, get in the house and take care of the family.
I would probably start a hunddagis ...
H: Haha, yes it was probably works!



http://www.glamour.se/mode/trend/2009/elin-kling-moter-tvillinga/


http://www.kingmagazine.se/PageFiles/66344/Henrik_lundqvist.jpg

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Henrik Lundqvist Casino Night 2010 Interview

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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Casino Night 2010 a True Blue success

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Guests pack Gotham Hall for annual Garden of Dreams fund-raiser


By Dan David, newyorkrangers.com

Enver Lisin, the Rangers’ speedy 23-year-old Russian winger who joined the team last summer, was one of several Blueshirts who got to experience their first Casino Night event on Monday at New York’s Gotham Hall.

Wearing a sporty white tuxedo jacket, Lisin was also one of the more creatively dressed Rangers at the annual event to benefit the Garden of Dreams Foundation.

“I think the best-dressed player here tonight is Aaron Voros,” the Moscow native said as he looked around the crowded room. “But he already had his own tuxedo. I rented mine for tonight, and I guess I decided that I wanted to feel like the captain of a cruise ship.”

Lisin’s white jacket -- and another one worn by Donald Brashear – were eye-catching, but both paled in comparison to the night’s most statement-making attire. Rangers rookie defenseman Michael Del Zotto went all out at Gotham Hall, sporting an entirely white tux with white shoes that stirred memories of the film Saturday Night Fever.

“I'm having a blast,” said Del Zotto. “There are a lot of good fans here who are pretty appreciative and have had some kind words. It's nice to give back and put a smile on their face. They have all been awesome. They have had great things to say about me and tell me they're happy I'm here. It makes everything a lot better and makes me feel more comfortable.”

The outstanding outfits were just one facet of a remarkable Casino Night 2010, presented by OppenheimerFunds. It was yet another festive evening in which Rangers players and fans came together to support a charity that helps children in crisis throughout the New York City area.

The team’s annual fund-raiser for Garden of Dreams was a success on all fronts, as hundreds packed Gotham Hall for a fun-filled night of gaming, silent and live auctions, and the opportunity for some of the most True Blue guests around to meet and have their photos taken with all of the Rangers players, coaches and executives, after they were formally introduced to the entire audience by longtime Rangers broadcaster Sam Rosen.

Casino Night has been a Rangers tradition since the 1999-00 season, ad each year since the launch of Garden of Dreams in the fall of 2006, it has been the team’s single biggest fund-raising event on GDF’s behalf. Monday night was no exception, as all net proceeds went straight to Foundation, including more than $30,000 raised in a dramatic live auction conducted by Rosen.

One of the most appreciative Rangers on Monday was goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who was taking part in his fifth Casino Night and his first since becoming an official Garden of Dreams spokesperson last year.

“I'm so proud to be a part of Garden of Dreams and that they wanted me as a spokesperson,” said Lundqvist. “It feels really good, and it's always fun to meet so many fans who have been around for such a long time, but I guess I feel a little more responsibility to make sure everybody has a good time now.”

Lundqvist made both the fans and GDF a winner on Monday, particularly when it came to the grand finale of the live auction. An autographed Lundqvist Swedish Olympic jersey, presented to the winner by Lundqvist himself, went for $5,250 on the heels of another intense bidding for Marian Gaborik’s signed Team Slovakia Olympic jersey, which brought in another $4,500 for the Foundation.

“This is a beautiful thing,” said Lisin. “I think it's a great night for the fans and a great way to help a charity like Garden of Dreams.”

Lundqvist was so appreciative of the guests’ generosity on Monday that he closed the evening with a personal message to the crowd.

“I want to give a big thank you for coming out tonight,” he said at the podium amid scattered “Hen-rik, Hen-rik” chants. “I hope you all had a good time. As a player, I really did, and as you know, it was for a great cause.”

Other big prizes in the live auction included a day at the Madison Square Garden Training Center with Rangers great Adam Graves, autographed Team USA jerseys from Rangers captain Chris Drury and alternate captain Ryan Callahan, an in-game visit with Rosen and Joe Micheletti at the MSG broadcast booth, a golf game with Rangers legend and all-time scoring leader Rod Gilbert, and a postgame trip to the Rangers locker room.

The live auction was one of several fund-raising efforts throughout Gotham Hall on Monday. A silent auction raised thousands more dollars and featured two wildly popular items – the jersey Mike Richter wore for the Feb. 3, 2009, Adam Graves Night ceremony and framed USA Hockey collage featuring the autographs of every player from the 1960 and 1980 Olympic gold medal men’s teams, plus the entire roster of the 1998 U.S. women’s team that won gold in Nagano.

Another popular table displayed a set of baskets containing the “favorite things” of five Rangers players, as selected by the players’ spouses and girlfriends. The table featured baskets for Lundqvist, Callahan, Wade Redden, Dan Girardi and Voros. Items in the baskets ranged from a pair of tennis rackets in the Lundqvist basket to a bag of beef jerky in Girardi’s.

“It's a good night and a lot of fun,” said Rangers defenseman Marc Staal, who was attending his third Casino Night. “It's also great for everyone to get dressed up and have a nice night out as a team with our girlfriends and wives.”

The well-dressed players were readily available to meet and greet the fans. Many Blueshirts served as dealers at the gaming tables, and when they weren’t handling the cards, they were posing for countless pictures that should be appearing regularly on Blueshirts United and other social network sites for months to come.

The night was so grand, in fact, that even recent Boston University graduate Matt Gilroy and recent Boston College grad Brian Boyle hardly missed watching their schools’ clash in college hockey’s Beanpot Tournament championship, although Boyle was particularly pleased to learn that Boston College’s 4-3 victory would give him the bragging rights.

Gilroy and Boyle didn’t have much time to talk, since players were just as likely to be spotted with guests as with each other on Monday night.

“They do such a nice job of this at Gotham Hall,” said Voros. “It's a good time, and I’ve already met a couple of good friends as a result of this event.”

For more information on the Garden of Dreams Foundation, visit the foundation’s web site at www.gardenofdreamsfoundation.org.





http://rangers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=516891

Henrik debuts 2010 Team Sweden Mask

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Yesterday, February 8th, Henrik unveiled his 2010 Team Sweden mask during the Rangers practice. The above picture is courtesy of the official New York Rangers Twitter page.

Henrik to wear number 30 at the Olympics

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Lundqvist said he can tell the Olympics are coming because just about every day he gets more and more questions about it. After he said that, I kept asking him questions about the Olympics - one of them being why he will wear 30 this time around after his No. 35 treated him to a gold medal in Turin in 2006. Lundqvist said he was supposed to wear 30 in Turin but that it was changed near the last minute, and that changing back was pretty simple this time - identity over superstition. “I’m 30 now. I’m sticking with it,” he said.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/rangers/#ixzz0f13GFHBJ

Henrik Lundqvist Swedish Interview (2010)

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Henrik Lundqvist

Born: 2 March 1982.
Position: Goalkeeper.
Club: New York Rangers.
Height: 185 cm.
Weight: 90 kg.
Clubs in his career: First club is Järpen IF, he played seven matches for the Premier Division Mölndal, otherwise it was just Frölunda before he moved to New York.
Published in the NHL: Inside of her fifth season with the Rangers.
Annual salary: 6.8 million U.S. dollars.
Last of the squad: World Cup in Quebec 2007th Sweden was fourth.
Honors: National Championships 2003, 2005 and Olympic gold 2006th
Another highlight in life: First game against twin brother Joel in the NHL. And Henry is very happy that Joel never scored on him in the NHL.


NEW YORK. In Madison Square Garden crowd roared "Henry, Henry, Henry".
From his balcony, he has magnificent views across Manhattan.
Sometimes he was jamming with a rock star from the E Street Band.
And John McEnroe recently came forward and shook hands and praised him.
But when Henke Lundqvist lose a match play, not the case in which any role. Then he becomes so angry that people are afraid of him.

February 7, 2010
The peace talks will save the honor of the Russian Olympic
Tough columnist Larry Brooks of the New York Post has written that "King Henry, and Gaborik is lipstick on a pig in this New York Rangers."
And not just Brooks saw the rest of the players in this team.
When I see a workout with the New York Rangers may coach John Tortorella - who may be the toughest of Swedish coaches seem like Sunday school children - a complete freeroll.
- WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!
Tortorella forcing players to go back and forth across the ice several times.
An employee of the Rangers office at the same workout with a few friends, smile stiffly and do not really know what to say. Or wherever he should go.
Tortorella is not satisfied with the pace, not satisfied with the customization, not satisfied with anything.
- Should it be so damn difficult. You suck. It's embarrassing.
He crushes a club over a GOAL.
There will be no new penalty loops for ice skating from GOAL GOAL.
- Do it here right now. Should it be so damn difficult.
The players may make the same exercise again.
Nissen office next to me seems to exhale.
Too early, I think.
And indeed.
A felpass later - then crashing hell away again.
- What are you doing? Do you see anything?
Tortorella is completely insane.

Then he stops training outright. No one may remain on the ice, which some players always do. Everyone must enter the dressing room for yet another name-calling.
Office Nissen strains nervous that he will get autographs and try to smile. It looks more like a grimace.
When the media can get into the locker room, I go directly to Henke.
- There were features of this training.
Henke smiles.
- The players were of course terrified of making mistakes, I say.
- Or too tired to cope fit right ... but we must be better. And every match is important for us now. We must not lose more.
The night before I sit in Madison Square Garden and enjoy a Swedish duel between Henrik Lundqvist and Nicklas Bäckström, but it is not the end, I hope.
When Washington makes 3-2 with just under five minutes left to play, then I say to myself:
- Damn it.
Not that I am rooting for the New York Rangers, but for me to talk to Henrik Lundqvist after the game.

I was long convinced that the male losers and hopeless interviewees after a loss game than Peter Forsberg - I would never have to deal with.
Then I got to know Henrik Lundqvist.
How nice any time under normal circumstances. Not funny at all for losses.
I like to feel sorry for a reporter in the Rangers dressing room after the game. He stands six feet from Henke, who only sits long and just stares at the floor, before he starts tearing off strips of tape and protective and throw everything on the floor.
Reporters want to go forward and have a deadline to fight with as well.
But he dare not.
He dares not really.
The poor fellow walked up and down, hesitates, sighs quietly and I think to myself, "the wrong question in this mode and Lundqvist explode".
Finally nods Henke. The nervous reporter steps forward and one minute later Henke is surrounded by 18 journalists.
He blames the loss on himself.

- Winning goal in the final period. That's when I'll make the big save. That's when I'll win points for us. I did not.
In reality, Rangers lost to the team was too bad offensively, and it can not even count how many times Henke won matches for his team.
It's like this mule to goalkeeper you want in an OS.
Henry has once told me that he has stronger feelings for losses than gains, that he hates to lose more than he loves winning.
Sure, Canada and Russia are favorites in the Olympics.
But with Henke in the form can Sweden win the gold as well as Czech Republic won in Nagano, thanks to Dominik Hasek.
Backstrom is happy after the game. Even if he had even more fun for a while ago when he scored two goals in Henke, one from mid-plane.
- Henke messe me the next day and said type "Go ahead for the invitation," Nicklas has told me.
When I get Henke to myself I do not say much more than "see you in the morn before the workout, huh? As we decided?"
- Yes, but I do not have much time. It may go fast, sizzles Lundqvist, and I leave him alone.

He is calmer when we are sitting at a diner in the vicinity of Henry and her partner Therese Andersson powerful apartment in midtown Manhattan.
Now you can talk to him. And he gives me all the time I want.
- You came here for a little bad timing. I am always sorely disappointed after the loss. And I should have saved the last goal against Washington.
- Come on. You can not blame yourself for the loss. You fired eleven shots on goal the first two periods. You had a suite of more than 20 minutes from the first into the second period without a single shot on goal. You dare booked because you were too poor forward, I say.
- We lost. And the key saves at the end of matches ... I have to make the key saves. So it is just.
Like this, he has been throughout his life.
Therefore, he has also an Olympic gold and a six-year contract with the New York Rangers worth over 250 million.
Even as a little boy at home in Ă…re, he could become enraged at the setbacks.
And it happened that he and twin brother Joel got into violent fights with each other.
Who won fajta?
- Those who were most angry. We had surplus energy both. And we hated to lose. Already in kindergarten. It sometimes happens that one of us, who lost in something, became so angry that he ran and hid in the woods, so when mom or dad came to fetch us they were looking for on of us was gone. But Joel has always been my best friend and when we grew up we always did the same things.
Henry admits that he as a young man was keen on its own successes, to keep the zero and himself being the best.
Now it's different.
The team comes first. His own individual success is not important in this context. And I would argue that precisely this stubborn attitude is why he is one of the world's best goalkeepers.
- I can concede goals if we won. If we lose it does not matter how good I was. I never take lightly the loss. Only profits count. Victory or loss makes a big difference to my wellbeing.

That he had this season has been both praised and sawn and had a couple of heavy periods is not he thinking so much about.
He thinks only the next game. And that there must be victory.
On top, he as always been one of the league's absolute best goalkeepers.
During the more laid-back practices Henke has been mocked for being Swedish and especially when he recently tested his Swedish equipment: Shin guards, gloves and mask.
- Yes, I have some paths tions from all possible directions. But I give back too. And I can get to meet four of my teammates in Vancouver: Chris Drury and Ryan Callahan in the United States, Marian Gaborik in Slovakia and Olli Jokinen of Finland. Then it Tortorella to coach the United States.
Tortorella can have fun with you too?
- Yes, he has said he is also a part. And yes, it would be a bit especially if we got to meet the United States. Last Olympics, we were more players from the Rangers and the Czechs Martin Straka and Jaromir Jagr was talking very much about the Olympics before. Afterwards, it was ruggigt nice to come back to New York with the gold medal around his neck.
Henke runs not from the expectations of Swedish team in the Olympics. Not at all.
- It is clear that we believe in ourselves. We have a good group. Many was the last time. We know what it takes to win. But for that to flow well.
Henkes team mate Aaron Were telling me that Henke's good to give back.
- Yes, we are told: "Yes, yes boys, I've already an Olympic gold medal," a few times this season.

Were celebrates his Swedish team mate.
- There is a huge luxury for us to have Henry on the team. And when we lose, it is never his fault. I think he is the world's best goalkeeper. He is hard on himself after the loss, I let him be a little while, then I try to break the ice.
Experienced hill Wade Redden are also excluded after losses.
- Henry has been difficult to place losses. He is too hard on himself. He can not save us all the time. He had to take it a bit easier after losses.
Have you said to him, I ask.
- No ... I should have done it. I'll do it.
Several weeks later I learned that he did not address it.
Poor Redden, he's not daring, I think.

How do you target Henke, then? How do the talking in the opponents locker room for meetings with the Rangers?
I checked it with several other Swedish NHL players and got the same answer:
"Shoot high. Over Henkes glove, there is sometimes a gap there when he goes down on his knees."
What he says about it?
- If I agree with? Well. Kollar man goals I let in are the same number of low and high. And all goalies covers at least pick, it's easier to save with stroke or leg protectors. But yes, this is something I've worked with in recent years. It's about patience. That does not go down too early.
Then of course it is not weakness people talk most about in terms Lundqvist.
But how good he is.
And so it was also almost always.
Henke himself tells of the praise that made him overjoyed.
- I was 13 years and played a youth tournament in Malmo. Then I was told that Pekka Lindmark said: "The guy will be fine." It sat. It was something I thought was very special to hear. From him. From Pekka Lindmark.
And it's not long ago Henke was at a bar in New York and others John McEnroe stepped forward, introduced himself politely and praised his goalie idol in his favorite team.
- It is clear that it was fun to hear it from McEnroe.

Another celebrity who likes Henke is drummer Jay Weinberg, son of legendary drummer Max Weinberg of the E Street Band, and the same man who was substituting for her father when Bruce Springsteen toured last.
Henke - who not only can play hockey, but also guitar - tend to jam together with the young Weinberg.
- We sometimes seen in a rehearsal studio in Manhattan. We got to know each other when I saw Bruce in Sweden and had come backstage.
And Yes, even Bossen have met the King.
- Bruce is very nice. And sports interested ... but he is rooting for New Jersey, "said Henke, a bit reluctantly, because the Devils are the worst rivals Rangers.
Otherwise, it is not as much nightlife as you might think of Lundqvist.
At home with your partner, Therese is best. The couple's apartment is huge, with rooms on both 42nd and 43rd floor with a hundred square meters large roof terrace, where they are going to build both a whirlpool and bar.
- It's my zone. Where can I just close the door and shut out the world.

"On the road", he is also a bit of a loner.
- I myself live. Has no roommate. And I most enjoy just being in the room, ordering room service and be on my own.
Few Swedes in the NHL - get players in the NHL at all - has kind of pressure on himself as he.
Just to be in a great goalie in the New York Rangers, is hard enough.
Then matched his tremendous hard.
And the Rangers have tried to cut down on his commitment off the ice.
- It's not that they need to baby sit me. Rangers organization will be understood how we should do to make it good. Then I have the responsibility of my role to talk to the media and participate in charitable events. There are a number of these businesses. But yes, it is easily too much sometimes.

In the last Olympics he was the best when it came to most. Critics have argued that he had in other contexts have been too tired in the case. So exhausted from the grueling match of a team that often worn by their goalkeeper.
- I do not agree with it. In Washington in the playoffs last year, I think I'm the best hockey of my life in several of the matches. Sure, my first year there was a significant difference in the playoffs, but then I was hurt also.
- Of course I feel I can play better - even if the last finals was good. And I was good in the seventh decisive match, then. Unfortunately we did not win it. But I can count on as long as we are not moving quite far in the playoffs, the snacks like this.
His team mates, who normally have to meet him in the NHL, is happy to have him on their side.
Despite Bäckströms goals from half-plane.
Henke said:
- Yes, you. That case. I know the hell what was happening. It was one of the strangest goal I let in. We had sat at dinner together the night before and then he said he never scored on me. Then he did two in the same match. And shot from half-plane misjudged me completely. But I could not even get angry. Just thought: What should I do about it?
- And we won the match, it was the main thing. So then I could laugh at it where the goal afterwards.

http://hockey.expressen.se/sport/os2010/ishockey/1.1873377/henke-forloraren-som-ska-bli-os-kung