Stanley Cup Journal No. 24

By Kevin Shea, Hockey Hall of Fame, August 26, 2008

The actual Conn Smythe winner for 2008, Henrik Zetterberg, had an extraordinary playoff, tying Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby in playoff points with 27 and tying teammate Johan Franzen with a playoff-best 13 goals. Zetterberg proved that, although he is a proficient scorer and an outstanding defensive forward, by combining excellence at both ends of the ice, he is not only well deserving of the playoff honour, but deserves recognition as one of the finest players in the game today.

Zetterberg collected the Stanley Cup at 4:30 that afternoon (August 2^nd, 2008) in Sundsvall, due north of the Swedish capital. Henrik recently got engaged, and his fiancée, Emma, was the winner of a Swedish version of ‘Survivor.’ They live in a fabulous house overlooking the sea that, at one time, served as a retirement home.

In spite of the drizzle, Henrik’s party guests, numbering about a hundred, gathered in large tents set up in the backyard of his home. Along with wonderful food, revellers drank and sang traditional Swedish folk songs, with Henrik joining right in on each one. The dancing and fun continued until 5:00AM.

On Sunday, August 3, surviving on but a few hours sleep, Henrik prepared the Stanley Cup for what is becoming a Swedish custom. Henrik’s sister Ulrica and her husband Jans have a two-and-a-half year old son, Viktor, and on this morning, Henrik’s nephew was baptized using the Stanley Cup as a baptismal font. Fifteen family members and friends gathered on Henrik’s deck to watch the special ceremony.

At noon, Zetterberg was at his boyhood rink in Njurunda, the guest of honour at a civic reception that brought 3,000 fans together to salute the Red Wings star. Civic dignitaries delivered speeches, and then Henrik signed autographs and posed for photos in his old, familiar rink.

Observing a touch of nostalgia, the Stanley Cup visited Zetterberg’s childhood home, where at one time, hockey wasn’t the only sport in his world. “l was almost as good at soccer as I was in hockey,” admitted Henrik, pointing past a hedge to a sporting area where he once would have spent most of his days. There sat a tennis court and a soccer field. “They used to make a rink for the neighbourhood kids there, too,” he added.

The nostalgic sojourn ventured to nearby Timra, where Henrik played from 1997-98 to 2001-02, and again during the locked-out season (2004-05). His number 20 has been honoured by the Red Eagles, who he captained in 2001-02. Again, a thunderous ovation awaited Zetterberg when he arrived. Taking the Stanley Cup out onto the ice, 4,000 cheering fans had their ovation reign down on the ‘local boy made good.’ Jonathan Hedstrom, who spent 2005-06 with Anaheim, plays for the Timra Red Eagles these days, and Henrik got his prank on, putting the Stanley Cup in his pal’s stall and taking a picture so that the next time Hedstrom’s at the rink, he’ll see what he missed.

Later that evening, Henrik and Emma returned to their home with the Stanley Cup. After having a nice dinner, they spent some time admiring hockey’s greatest gift, and then tired, packed it up and packed it in.

The "Modin-Zetterberg" Rink

By George James Malik, Mlive.com, August 14, 2008

Dagbladet's Patrik Nasberg reports that Columbus Blue Jackets forward Fredrik Modin and Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg received a tremendous honor for their statuses as the two Njurunda, Sweden-born NHL'ers who've won the Stanley Cup:

August 14, Dagbladet (roughly translated): Njurunda's ice hall renamed

Njurunda SK once again pays tribute to its heroes

Njurunda Ice Hall is history - at least in name brass. Yesterday Njurunda SK's home [was given] a new name: Modin & Zetterberg-hall. The Club's Stanley Cup-heroes are honored again. They have shown off the Stanley Cup-goblet in [their home rink].

They have had their sweaters hoisted up to the ceiling of the hall.

Now Njurunda SK once again [shows] its appreciation to Fredrik Modin, Henrik Zetterberg - NSK products that won the NHL finals [once each] (2004 and 2008 respectively).
This [honor is made] by renaming Njurunda Ice Hall as Modin & Zetterberg-hall

"We have two world stars here in the form of Fredrik Modin and Henrik Zetterberg, and we in NSK are proud to have them as representatives of the club, and they are good role models for our children and young people. In taking this name, we put Njurunda's [rink] on the world map," said Njurunda's Atte Werneman during the ceremony.

"It is glorious"

Modin and Zetterberg of course, were proud when that name was proclaimed.

"It is glorious. It is not often that you get something named after yourself, "said Fredrik Modin.

"We have spent considerable hours on the ice here. Exercise, games, free time ...Yes, there have been many hours [here]," said Henrik Zetterberg.

NHL stars were also given the chance to [share] their tips on how to become a good hockey playing to the young players [at the rink] in the hope that perhaps [they can help] one more player from NSK to the NHL.

"The most important thing from the beginning is to learn [how to] skate, to move in the best possible way. hen you can begin to learn to shoot, which is also an important part," noted Modin.

The name change was made in connection with Njurunda Hockey Camp, which is well under way.

"Henrik and Fredrik have been on ice during the morning and skate with our young people," said Johan Uhlin, one of the leaders of NHC.

"It's full speed out here"

By George James Malik, Mlive.com, August 04, 2008

Henrik Zetterberg spent the weekend with the Stanley Cup, spending Saturday celebrating in private, and spending the vast majority of Sunday sharing the Cup with his hometown of Njurunda, Sweden, and nearby Timra, where he played for Timra IK. SVT.se covered Zetterberg's trip to his hometown rink:

August 4, SVT.se (LINK TO VIDEO)  (roughly translated): Zäta came home with trophy Many celebrated Njurunda's son

NJURUNDA - All players of the Detroit Red Wings will get to show the winner-trophy, the Stanley Cup-goblet, in their own communities. På söndagen var det njurundasonen Henrik Zetterbergs tur. On Sunday, it was Njurunda's son Henrik Zetterberg's turn.

Many hockey fans came to Njurunda's rink in homage to Zäta and to get an autograph. Henrik's Detroit jersey was also raised to the ceiling.

It was the second time the huge goblet visited Njurunda. Last time it was Fredrik Modin who had brought it home with him. Medelpad, moreover, is the landscape in Sweden, which has produced the largest number of Stanley Cup-winners. In addition to the two Njurunda players Samuel Pålsson, Kjell Dahlin and Mats Näslund have their names engraved on the trophy.

August 4, Sundsvalls Tiding (LINK TO PHOTOS)  (roughly translated: Stanley cup came home

For the second year in a row the Stanley Cup-goblet made an entrance in Medelpad.

"I have looked forward to this day," says the main attraction himself, Henrik Zetterberg.

Hockey fans in both Njurunda and Timrå got to know the silver object, which makes its summer tour between the Detroit Red Wings' players. The combination of Henrik Zetterberg and Stanley Cup-goblets turned out, may not be fully un-backed, but is a true public magnet.

Njurunda's rink was as packed with people as it was when Fredrik Modin showed up with same trophy four years ago.

"We have counted a couple of thousand people," says Jane Bredberg, chairman of Njurunda SK.

The main character himself, Henrik Zetterberg, received a royal reception.

"It is fantastic to see so many come here and are [here] given the rather beautiful weather," he says and points to the trophy which is listed on a podium in the rink, which this fall will be renamed Modin Zetterberg-hall.

A line of congratulaters is a long one. All possible profiles, such as Sundsvalls vice-mayors Peder Birch, who handed out a prize from the municipality, and Timrå IK's President Christer Ericson, who donated 10,000 Swedish Kronor [about $1,650] to Njurunda SK's Henrik Zetterberg fund.
And just as hysterical was interest in Eon Arena.

Everyone wanted to see the goblet and exchange a few words with the main character Zäta, while receiving an autograph.

"It is not possible to understand how valuable it is with a role model Henrik. He means so much for the children of the association, and it puts Njurunda on the map," says Njurunda SK's chairman Jane Bredberg.

Peder Groening trained Henrik from advanced scooling up to 14 years of age, and he agreed in praise.

"He was a coach's dream. He had everything, both on and off the [ice].

Anyone who wins the NHL finals may borrow and show off goblets for a day, and "Zäta" said himself that day had been taken on the forces, and that it was obvious to show the huge trophy in both Njurunda and Timrå.

"I have great memories from my time in Njurunda. In particular, when we took the bike or the kick-sled here in the rink in the evenings and weekends together with friends. And then of course, that kept going in Timrå," he says.

And since then, "Zäta" has become larger and larger, and his name is one of those right now most strikingly highest in the hockey world.

What is it that drives you now that you won everything (except the Swedish Eliteserien title)?

"Now, the challenge is to defend the Stanley Cup title, and to win every game. That is the driving force."

Could you want to come home and try to win a Swedish Eliteserien title?

"Yes, it could be fun to come home and finish with a season," says Henrik Zetterberg, who together with the Stanley's cup spread much joy in Njurunda and Timrå.

Dagbladet's Tobias Jonsson and Olle Östman covered the Cup's Sunday travels on a minute-by-minute basis:

August 4, Dagbladet (LINK TO PHOTOS) (roughly translated): Zetterberg's day with the Stanley Cup-trophy

Henrik Zetterberg got back to the village [of Timra] - twice during the day. Dagbladet followed the "Z's" Sunday with the Stanley Cup-goblets, minute for minute, in Njurunda and in Timrå.

"I have looked forward to this day a long time," said Zetterberg.

Yesterday, it was 59 days ago [that] Henrik Zetterberg and his Detroit Red Wings were lifting Stanley Cup-goblet after having defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins to 3-2 in the sixth game in best of seven [finals].

Nearly two months have, in other words, passed since then, but the "Z-fever" neither waned in Njurunda or in Timrå. Thousands of fans, both young and old alike, wanted to congratulate their hero yesterday and have a look at the legendary goblet up close, first in Njurunda's ishall and then at Timra's E. ON Arena.

"It feels fantastic that so many could come here, in view of the weather and everything," said Zetterberg.

Long queue

13.05 [1:05 PM]: Zetterberg, with goblet in his arms, entered Njurunda's rink before an eager public with resounding applause. Just behind were the two guards and a television crew from Detroit. The trophy was placed on a pedestal before the "Z" himself stood at a podium.

13.12 [1:12 PM]: Timrå IK's Kjell-Åke Tjernström, master of ceremonies for the day, asked some questions to Henrik Zetterberg, with the classic "how it feels?" As a starter.

13.17: Time for thanks, and there are many who would like to thank the main character for the day. First came Njurunda SK's Jane Bredberg and Morgan Åhlund, then followed Timrå IK's President Christer Eriksson (who announced that Timra IK gave 10 000 Swedish Kronor to NSK's Zetterberg fund as a gift), Per Håkansson from Medelpads Ice HockeyAssociation and, finally, Peder Björk from Sundsvall Municipality, which he also announced that 10 000 Swedish Kronor will be given by the municipality to NSK.

13.31 [1:31 PM]: The overall press corps asks their questions. Although the audience was given the same chance.

13.37 [1:37 PM]: Autograph signing and the public's chance to photograph themselves with "Z" and the trophy - which has now been placed next to its temporary owner - can begin, just over 20 minutes [earlier than] the scheduled time on the schedule. Och tur var nog det då det var många som ville ha sin stund med Zetterberg. And luck was enough because there were many who wanted to have their moment with Zetterberg.

15.05 [3:05]: An hour of autograph signing is over, and Henrik Zetterberg can leave Njurunda's rink. Zetterberg has time for a short break on private territory before it's time for the next stop ...

16.08 [4:08]: Timrå. ... It was time for new [round of praise], including Timrås municipal chief Ewa Lindstrand. Large parts of the process from Njurunda are reiterated.

16.40 [4:40]: If the "Z" did not have writing cramps yet, it was soon time, for there were no fewer people in E. ON Arena, which wanted a signature.

18.00 [6 PM]: Five hours after the ceremony started Henrik Zetterberg has completed his official commitments for the day.

And as you hear, it was one, to say the least, busy day for the Detroit star - but he just enjoyed the moment.

"I have looked forward to this day a long time, to come here and show the trophy. It feels really, really cool," he says.

Was it obvious to you to visit both Njurunda and Timrå with the trophy?

"Yes, that was it. Here in Njurunda, things started, and it will produce many memories to be here again. Then everything [took place] in Timrå, with hockey gym and onward. There are two key places in my career," responds Zetterberg.

What memories were brought back at the rink in Njurunda?

"In particular, all the free time that passed here. All weekends and evenings only took the bike or the push-sled here with all friends, it has been fantastic here.

"It has turned out rather well"

Much has happened since those days. A new NHL season we shall soon see, and Henrik Zetterberg time with the trophy is about to run out - at least for now.

"The Cup may have a lot of things on its plate and it must be a little confusing to be part of it, but it comes together in when you have it. For the select few," he says.

Yes, the stories around the Stanley Cup-goblet are many. But if it has been involved in any new stories in the last few days before leaving "Z" for the future ...

"Things happened a little, but there is nothing to address here and now," he concluded with a smile.

And who knows, maybe it will take just one year before the duo returns to Medelpad.

Zetterberg's Ready for a Weekend with Stanley

By George James Malik, Mlive.com, August 02, 2008

Sundsvalls Tiding reports that Henrik Zetterberg will spend the weekend with the Stanley Cup--spending Saturday in his hometown of Njurunda, and Sunday in Timrå, where he played for Timrå IK (their website has also posted Hank's itinerary, and Zetterberg's #20 happens to hang from the rafters because he played in Timra's club system for six years).