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- I will be a part of Rangers for the rest of my life. Both I and they have been clear about that. That's how it will be, he reveals to GP. In addition: We are talking about American elections, money and a return to Frölunda HC.
The phone is really rumbling. Henrik Lundqvist is sitting in the car and when he presses down his right foot, the powerful V12 in the exclusive car answers immediately and penetrates the conversation.
He's on his way from Manhattan to New Jersey, where the temporary training rink is located.
This is where he, along with a bunch of shooters, grinds his form ahead of the NHL season that could start in host city bubbles early next year.
- This is a new chapter in the final stages of my career. It feels very inspiring, actually. We weighed very much in the decision. How the situation is with the team, about the chance to play, who was the coach and everything else. We checked every single box - and it felt good in the end, he says.
Will return to Rangers
But he also reveals another thing about the future, the future that comes after his stay in Washington.
- This is a chapter, when I go and test this. But I'll be a part of Rangers for the rest of my life. In one way or another. Both I and they have been clear about that. That's how it will be.
So you have a job ready in Rangers the day you put the skates on the shelf?
- Yes, it will be the role they want it to be, Henrik reveals.
He develops:
- Then I do not know if the role will be small or if there will be something more. It is further ahead. It's timing again. It's not here and now - but I feel that I will somehow be "connected" to Rangers forever after so many years and all the people I got to know in the club, from owners and down.
He still lives with his family in Tribeca, Manhattan, when the Washington Capitals only opened their training facility the other day.
Schools in New York are partially closed.
- We have done well here in Manhattan. But in Brooklyn, some schools are half closed, so there will be homeschooling half the time and the rest of the time on site, says Henrik.
This spring, when the Lundqvist family traveled home to Gothenburg from a closed New York, father Henrik ran a lot of home schooling with his daughters Charlise and Juli, who had turned eight and five years old.
Were you good as a teacher?
- Haha, no. I can not say that. I did my best, but felt that I was not enough sometimes. Joke aside… it actually worked well. The difficult thing was the time difference, when we were in Sweden, says Henrik - who had to teach his own favorite subject, mathematics.
The children Charlise and Juli are bilingual, although they prefer to speak English when playing with each other.
- But when we were home for so long this summer, the Swede also clicked for Juli. Suddenly everything fell into place. They are mushrooms - and absorb everything…
At the beginning of October, Henrik Lundqvist signed for Rangers rival club Washington Capitals - and will next season be a teammate with, among others, Alexander Ovechkin Nicklas Bäckström and Carl Hagelin.
He has visited the city, even danced in the streets with his daughters in a clip that Mrs. Therese filmed and Henrik posted on his Instagram.
- We are going there again next week, but have not found any accommodation yet. We have focused more on the area. Then we'll see how much we will be there. We do not really know the plan for next season. If they run host cities, we're only in Washington for a week, then you're away for two weeks and then back for a week. You get to take it a little on bounce with everything nowadays…
First impression of Washington?
- It's a nice city! Pretty easy to get around, I think. Everything is pretty simple if you compare with New York and Manhattan. You can be in training in seven to eight minutes - and I'm used to sitting in the car for 40 minutes at least… or 45 minutes if you drive legally.
But there should be a vacancy in Washington in January - when will President Donald Trump move out?
- Then it's probably someone else who will move in ...
Have you followed the election?
Yes, it's hard not to follow! So much has happened in the last five months. Corona, different movements, the choice. It has been a lot for the American people at the same time. I hope that it can settle down a bit and that people can find a little more faith in the future and harmony. It has been quite messy for various reasons…
Have you noticed the unrest in New York as well?
Yes, before the election, many boards were nailed up for windows. People were worried about riots if Trump won. They did not want the windows to be smashed like last summer when there was a riot. Of course you notice it. But now it was Biden - and it was a very good energy in the city last Saturday when it was ready. People sang and were happy. It's just what you want. That the United States should return to being a little more "united" again. That is what the country has been good at in the past. To be together and be strong for the nation. It has been very divided at the end, says Lundqvist.
He mentions corona and at home in Gothenburg, his brother Joel has just recovered from a covid-19 infection.
- I think we have managed, in fact. We were very sick in March - and I thought I had it. But then I had no antibodies when I was tested during the summer… there were very many around us in New York who had it. I hope for the vaccine so that people can start to see the light in the tunnel. We need it. Little positive energy.
People hate to see Lundqvist's new helmet
Speaking of Instagram, Henrik Lundqvist posted his new helmet the other day. With stars, a bald eagle, Capital's club badge and Capitolium - and of course painted by Smålander David Gunnarsson, or DaveArt as his nickname is. The artist has adorned many goalkeepers' helmets over the years.
- He's incredibly good, David. We have worked together for many years now. We wanted to weave everything together - and he is cruel at coming up with details. It feels good to me, says Henrik.
The reactions online were not long in coming.
Do you read any reactions when you post on social media?
- Sometimes I check a few reactions, I do. But I do not know what the feedback has been this time…
Many people say that it is fantastic - but that they hate to see it.
Hehe. Yes, it still is. I sometimes find myself feeling so new. I've been through it so much in my head that I'm ready for the next chapter, but I've also been working on it for quite some time, that it would end here in New York. Many fans have become accustomed to me being here for 15 years and being a part of the organization - and suddenly I'm not. It takes some time to get used to it, maybe…
Does it happen that you take the wrong exit when you go to the gym in New Jersey - and are on your way to Rangers training rink in Tarrytown?
- Yes. I actually missed one of the first few weeks. Then I sat in my mind somewhere else. Then I realized to myself that I was on my way to Rangers' training rink - and not to New Jersey. But it has only happened once so far!
After 15 seasons in the New York Rangers, he was bought out for three million dollars, or 26 million Swedish kronor. A normal 38-year-old had probably said thank you and hello and put his career on the shelf. But not Henrik Lundqvist.
He's not done with hockey.
- I have put a lot of time and energy into analyzing where I am somewhere, how I feel about the sport, what I appreciate about the sport. And feel that it's still fun. Fun to compete. I still think it's fun to get up to the rink every day to train and to get better. I know it's in me too. The last six months of the pre-season was a very tough situation that affected me and my game. If I can get a good situation where I am mentally in the right place and know the conditions in a good way, I think I can play at a high level. That's what I'm working on right now. It feels like a great challenge too.
Money has never been a driving force in recent years?
No. Somewhere I am extremely grateful for what has been. I have already earned the money - and now the sport is in focus. Or, the sporting has always been in focus ekonomiska but the financial comes into play during your career. You have certain contracts that are important for your career. But in the situation I am in now, it is only the sporting aspect that is most important. The loss I got when I left Rangers I got again. It was plus or minus zero on the contract I had, says Henrik Lundqvist.
In Capitals, the Swedish goalkeeper veteran will fight with 23-year-old Russian Ilya Samsonov for the place in the goal. Some believe that Lundqvist is picked as a mentor… but then they have never seen the Swede at a training.
- I will compete! Then I get to do the best in whatever role it becomes. But I will compete. I will want to play. Of course, Lundqvist says decisively.
He develops:
- They have also said that in the end it is about winning matches - and we will see how many matches I stand. He is a young and very promising goalkeeper that Capitals has - and I will work with him and maybe help him a little. But at the same time we are both there to play.
In your head, are you entering the season as number one?
- I only focus on what I can do. Then it is up to them to decide what role it will be. There is nothing I can demand or know before. It's about coming to camp and playing well - and then taking the chance when I get it. This is where my focus is, says Lundqvist.
For 15 years in the world's best league, he has seen the role of goalkeepers change.
- This season there will be many matches in a few days, so you can not unlock being first or second. It goes more and more in that direction, that the team plays two goalkeepers. It's not like my first eight or nine years - when I played 70 games in one season. That time is a bit over, I think.
On the Capitals, Lundqvist finally gets to play with the guy who scored the most goals on him during the NHL time. For that, the Russian Alexander Ovetchkin has actually done.
- I'm probably the goalkeeper he's played the most against in 15 years, so it's not so strange! But of course, he has always been a threat over the years. Now we will fight together - and it will be interesting, says Lundqvist.
In connection with the transfer to Capitals, he joked about not staying in the goal in training when Ovetchkin will shoot direct shots.
- He has among the toughest shots in the league. Then he is very good at hitting the target all the time. It does not matter how he gets the pass. He always manages to push it away - and on the failure he has on the club, it is difficult to read as well. If you look at many of his goals, it's not the cross. The shot goes through the goalkeeper. Through arm and leg or body. You misjudge the shot a little because of the failure he has on the club. His shot stands out - and that's why he's scored so many goals. I do not even know if there is anyone else who can shoot like he does. He has a soft club, plus he is very strong - so it becomes a catapult when he shoots, Lundqvist says a little admiringly.
Nice to avoid that shot - except in training?
- Yes, he can train that shot without a goalkeeper! Uh, it's going to be a good workout. Having one of the best shooters against you in training is only positive, says Lundqvist.
Capitals includes Tre Kronor friend Nicklas Bäckström and former Rangers player and friend Carl Hagelin. Of course, it provides extra security.
- We have already been seen on site when we were there a few weeks ago. I know both well. It will be fun to play with "Hagge" again and fun to be with "Bäckis" for more than a few weeks, as it has been with the national team. He has an incredibly important role in Washington. He is one of their absolute best players.
And the chance to win is with Capitals?
- I believe in us. I believe in the team, I believe in the new coach Peter Laviolette. They have won, but are still hungry and want to do it again. They have the routine. It is incredibly difficult to predict before a season. But it feels good, says Lundqvist.
The goal?
- It's to win. But it's at least as much about the trip, that you enjoy on the way there. There is a lot to feel fun about with the trip, with the group, with the matches. Sure, you have an end goal that drives you, but there is much else on the way there that drives you as well. And there Washington felt very attractive.
You have learned to enjoy over the years?
- Yes I think so. I reflect more over the years - and take fewer things for granted. I've learned that.
Fans of Frölunda HC dreamed this summer that Henrik Lundqvist would be bought out by Rangers - and then come home and end the circle with his brother Joel in Scandinavium.
Was that thought ever - seriously?
- Yes. All the cards were there. All the different scenarios were involved when I started thinking about the whole situation. Somewhere in the big picture it was there, Henrik reveals.
I have never closed the door to Frölunda - and I will never do so until the day I leave.
However, it was not Frölunda - and Henrik adds:
- A lot is about timing in life, what happens and what opportunities open up. I have never closed the door to Frölunda - and I will never do so until the day I leave. It will always be in the big picture. Now was not the right time.
Brother Joel will swear now - because you're opening that door again?
- Lol. He's got some questions about it, I know. Now there is nothing to discuss, I'll play here. So there is nothing to ask him, laughs Henrik.
The Lundqvist family has not yet decided where the future residence will be. Whether it stays in the US or in Sweden.
- It will be New York for the family and Washington for me. What matters is a bit about what the season will look like. We are not trying to look so far ahead, but right now we are very happy with the situation and life.
You do not long for home to parents and your brother in Gothenburg?
- Family and friends are what you miss the most when you live abroad. That's what drives you home. To be able to come home and meet everyone and socialize. It is also incredibly wonderful to be able to do it every summer.
And one thing is for sure: Gothenburg is home.
The Lundqvist family has a home by the sea outside Kungsbacka and a large apartment in central Gothenburg.
- We have a fixed point in Gothenburg, we have. We like to be at home on the west coast. It would not be possible not to be at home. It is incredibly important to us. We feel that it is important for the children as well. To get the Swedish culture and meet our family and friends. It would never be possible not to have it, says Henrik Lundqvist.
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