Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Watch Henrik Lundqvist Conduct his Shutout Wine Lottery
"It's the count that thoughts." -Henrik Lundqvist, lol.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Henrik Lundqvist Post-Game Video Interview; Reaches 250 Career Wins
Henrik Lundqvist made 22 saves to improve to 37-16-5 overall, with a 17-8-3 mark on the road. He has held opponents to two or fewer goals in 39 games this season, including in five of the last seven games. Lundqvist has started on consecutive days 59 times in his career, posting a record of 38-14-7 with a 1.84 GAA, .934 Sv% and six shutouts in the second game. With the win, Lundqvist became the 45th goaltender in NHL history to record 250 career wins.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Henrik Lundqvist Post-Game Video Interview
Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves and tallied the lone assist on Brad Richards’ power play goal at 14:58 of the first period. He improved to 34-15-5 overall, including a 20-7-2 mark at home this season. Lundqvist has held opponents to two or fewer goals in each of the last three games, posting a record of 2-1-0 with a 1.65 goals against average and .926 save percentage over the span.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Henrik Lundqvist Honored With Garden of Dreams Hero Award
RANGERS GOALTENDER HENRIK LUNDQVIST HONORED WITH GARDEN OF DREAMS FOUNDATION HERO AWARD
New York, March 16, 2012– The Garden of Dreams Foundation announced today that Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is the recipient of the 2012 Garden of Dreams Hero Award. The award, established in 2009, honors one person or organization annually who embodies the spirit and commitment of the Garden of Dreams Foundation, with active, on-going dedication to children facing obstacles.
The Garden of Dreams Hero engages in personal, sustained support of, or involvement in organizations and activities that directly enhance the lives of children and their families, while serving as a driving force and inspiration for others. Lundqvist has exemplified this throughout his work with Garden of Dreams, particularly this season.
After being named the official spokesperson of the Garden of Dreams Foundation in 2009, the three-time NHL All Star has worked diligently to help fulfill The Foundation’s mission to “make dreams come true for children facing obstacles”. In the past six months alone, Lundqvist has granted a special “wish” for a young cancer patient whose dream was to meet him, hosted a group of children for a special afternoon at Radio City to watch the Christmas Spectacular, participated in a team 9/11 memorial event for police and firehouses in the city, and donated game tickets for Garden of Dreams families.
In addition, this past January, Lundqvist commissioned an extra mask for the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, which raised $35,000 for Garden of Dreams. Later that month, Lundqvist unveiled “The Crown Collection,” a line of specialty t-shirts and hats available at The Garden, with proceeds from the sale benefiting the Foundation. Then in February, Lundqvist hosted the first-ever “Rock of Dreams” private benefit concert, with his band “Noise Upstairs,” at the Canal Room. With bandmate John McEnroe joining him on the stage and almost the entire Rangers team in attendance, Lundqvist raised over $48,000 for Garden of Dreams. This season alone, Lundqvist’s charitable efforts with the Foundation has totaled more than $100,000.
“All of us at The Madison Square Garden Company recognize that our work with the Garden of Dreams Foundation is perhaps the most meaningful thing we do – and no one has been more consistent or sincere in his commitment to the children of Garden of Dreams than Henrik Lundqvist,” said Hank Ratner, President & CEO, The Madison Square Garden Company and Chairman of the Board, Garden of Dreams Foundation. “Our goal is to brighten the lives of children facing enormous obstacles, through access to our athletes, entertainers and events, and to do that we rely on the dedication of leaders within the Garden community. Henrik epitomizes what Garden of Dreams stands for and is the perfect example of a world-class athlete who truly cares about helping others. We’re very proud to honor him with the 2012 Garden of Dreams Hero Award.”
Past recipients of the Garden of Dreams Hero Award include tennis legend Andre Agassi and Rangers great Adam Graves.
“I am extremely honored to have been chosen for this award,” said Lundqvist. “Garden of Dreams is an amazing organization that I have been lucky enough to be a part of for many years now. I look forward to continuing and expanding my involvement with the Foundation and creating more life-long memories with our deserving kids.”
Garden of Dreams works closely with all areas of The Madison Square Garden Company, including the New York Rangers, Knicks, Liberty, MSG Media, MSG Entertainment and Fuse. Since its inception in 2006, Garden of Dreams has created unique and unforgettable events and activities – often involving unprecedented access to MSG celebrities and athletes at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the MSG Training Center, Fuse and the Beacon Theatre – for more than 200,000 tri-state area children. Nearly 175,000 tickets have been donated to organizations served by Garden of Dreams and more than 2,300 special events have been designed for children and families.
Garden of Dreams strives to be heroic, inspirational and unforgettable – all attributes of the children the Foundation has had the privilege to meet over the course of its history. Partnering with a diverse collection of outstanding children’s related organizations, including hospitals, foster organizations, homeless shelters and “wish” organizations, the Garden of Dreams Foundation has a singular goal each and every day – to utilize the power and magic of Madison Square Garden and its properties to bring joy and happiness to children facing devastating problems – whether they relate to illness, homelessness, poverty, foster care issues or tragedy.
This afternoon, Lundqvist accepted the Garden of Dreams Hero Award at the MSG Training Center in Tarrytown. r
For more information on the Garden of Dreams Foundation, the programs it run, and the children it serves, please visit www.GardenofDreamsFoundation.org
Henrik Lundqvist Swedish Video Interview (Oct. 2011)
I must have missed this video back in October, but I just found it today and figured I'd post it. If anyone would like to translate, it would be much appreciated.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
A Day in the Life of Henrik Lundqvist
The video doesn't allow embedding, so here is the link to the interview:
http://watch.tsn.ca/featured/clip637295#clip637295
This interview aired on TSN in Canada today.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Henrik Lundqvist is a Superstar Behind the Mask
By
His hair is perfect, his tuxedo is beautiful and his manners are flawless. All of which is proving to be a serious liability to Henrik Lundqvist as he tries to move across the room to a blackjack table at a benefit for the Garden of Dreams Foundation in Midtown Manhattan.
Men, women and cameras block him at every turn. Everyone wants just one quick picture with the Rangers goalkeeper. While many New Yorkers would be hard-pressed to place Lundqvist's famous-looking face -- he does spend his working day wearing a white plastic mask, after all -- this is a hockey crowd. And to them, Lundqvist is a rock star. "He is a really good-looking guy," says one fan in a suit as he pushes his giggling girlfriend at Lundqvist so he can photograph them together.
Eventually a public relations person comes to save The King. Lundqvist makes it over to the blackjack table, only to pose for more pictures. The whole scene seems to underscore one fact about Lundqvist: If he played any other major sport, this would be his everyday life. If he didn't play a sport in which his entire body was encased in pads and plastic, he wouldn't be able to walk down the street outside his restaurant in TriBeCa without anyone recognizing him. He would be a Derek Jeter or a Carmelo Anthony or Eli Manning.
As it is, he is now the city's best sports story. With Lin-sanity and the Knicks settling down, it's hard to think of a player who means more to his team than Lundqvist. The Rangers head into Sunday's game against the Islanders contending for the NHL's best overall record, and Lundqvist's play is the biggest reason why.
With Lundqvist in goal, the Rangers believe they can win every time they take the ice. His eight shutouts lead the NHL, his save percentage of .936 is second behind St. Louis' Brian Elliott and his goals-against average of 1.87 is third in the league behind Elliott and Jaroslav Halak. Lundqvist is a leading candidate for the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender, and the Rangers are playing so well that he will get more than a few votes for the Hart Trophy for the NHL's most valuable player. Only six goalies have won the Hart, with the most recent being Montreal's Jose Theodore in 2002.
"There's been a lot of pressure on Hank, and he's just been on another planet this year," said Rangers forward Brian Boyle, who is a close friend of Lundqvist's. "He's unbelievable. He's constantly trying to get better, and it shows."
The Rangers have made the playoffs in five of the six years since Lundqvist came to the team from Sweden. This is by far their best season together, and expectations are going to be huge heading into the postseason.
The one thing that Lundqvist hasn't been able to do is lead the Rangers out of the second round of the playoffs. His career postseason record is 15-20. There have been various reasons for that, from injuries to the fact that Lundqvist and his teammates had to work so hard just to get the team into the playoffs that they flamed out in the postseason.
This year, however, Lundqvist says he feel the best he's ever felt at this point in the season. Lundqvist, who turned 30 earlier this month, married his longtime girlfriend over the summer, and the two recently announced that they are expecting a baby in July. In addition to settling down, Lundqvist shed about 14 pounds over the summer by changing his workout and diet.
"I feel like I have more energy on the ice and in practice," Lundqvist said. "I'm lighter. I was more determined coming into this year. I just feel like my focus is on the game this year."
Those who know Lundqvist well say focus has never been his problem. In fact, there is something a little crazy about the intensity Lundqvist brings to his sport on game day. Rangers backup goalie Martin Biron says he doesn't even sit near Lundqvist between periods because he knows he likes his space.
"I just don't talk to him on game days," center Mike Rupp said. "We all pretty much leave him be and let him sit over there alone with his earphones on."
But although Lundqvist is an extreme introvert on game days, he has an extroverted style on and off the ice that has the potential to make him into a sports superstar, transcending his sport as Mark Messier did two decades ago with the Rangers.
On the ice, Lundqvist plays with the sort of ambition and resolve that fans love. Take the way he sometimes uses his head to stop hockey pucks. Though it drives his coaches batty -- "I absolutely hate it," Rangers coach John Tortorella said -- the move makes fans go wild. "In New York City, they want to see you battle," Biron said. "They want to see you play well. They just don't want to see 20 superstars going around like it was the Ice Capades. They want to see a bunch of guys working hard and getting results. That's the attitude that he's got."
Off the ice, Lundqvist may be the city's coolest athlete. He helped design his own clothing line, plays guitar in a band with John McEnroe, owns a trendy restaurant in TriBeCa called Tiny's, helps thousands of children though his chairmanship of the Garden of Dreams Foundation and recently made a PSA to promote tolerance toward gay and lesbian athletes.
But all of this alone isn't enough to take Lundqvist to the next level of sports celebrity-dom.
"To become a transcendent celebrity is to get lucky and win the Stanley Cup," said Steve Herz, president of IF Management, a Manhattan-based sports and media talent agency. "He needs to be able to take off the mask and get out there and play guitar on Letterman. Winning the Stanley Cup could do a lot for him."
Not to mention a lot for Rangers fans, who hope this finally will be the year their team doesn't fizzle in the early rounds of the playoffs. This is something Lundqvist certainly knows. "It's going to be our year, Henrik" was the greeting he received from fan after fan as he made his way through the Garden of Dreams Casino Night benefit last month. Ever polite, he wasn't one to disagree.
Said Lundqvist: "I feel like I've improved my game this year, and the way the team has been playing, I'm feeding from that. This year, I think I'm more determined. I'm really excited to see what we can do."
http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/rangers/rangers-lundqvist-superstar-behind-the-mask-1.3593844
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Henrik Lundqvist Casino Night Esquire Magazine Photo Shoot
Goalie Henrik Lundqvist isn't just the best player on the team, he's often the best-dressed. Maybe that's because he gets so much of his clothing made-to-measure in his home country of Sweden. Here, the captain of the Rangers' charitable efforts gets ready in his Calvin Klein look for the night.
Read more: http://www.esquire.com/the-side/style-guides/new-york-rangers-tuxedos-0312#ixzz1oYrCBHLu
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Henrik Lundqvist AftonBladet Interview On Turning 30 And The Truth Behind The Bird Rescue
On the evening of April 23 last year belonged to Henrik Lundqvist, a new sound.
He had just released three pucks past him, the Rangers were eliminated in the finals first round, he laced the skates, the showers roared and ... huh? What was it that clicked?
Please tick tocket inside his head?
- It was the first time I heard the clock ticking. Before, I was quite young, I have many chances, but then I realized: my time is limited. I can not keep up! I have to take advantage of every year!
Was it scary?
- Yes. Career is limited. This is my seventh year, who knows if I've been here half my time yet? I do not know how long I can stay in the NHL.
But then we are on the subject: Congratulations on the 30th anniversary.
- Thank you, it'll be fun. It feels like there has been rapid.Recent years have run away, but I have no panic at all.
"30 years old"
What was your image of 30-year-olds when you were 20?
- I thought the players were very old. The question is whether 20-year-olds feel the same way for me today.
Do you believe that?
- Do not know. I feel pretty young, but older than them, have other side interests, topics of conversation. I feel sometimes that I have grown up.
I'm looking for signs of your aging on your Twitter. I find any.
- Give me an example.
December 13: You say you have saved a bird and kept it indoors overnight. Have you become bloodier?
- No. I have not been bloodier, but now the truth will out. It was my wife who saved it, then I came and took the honor. I wanted to make out that we made a team-work, but it was just her. She had that little bird, and knew how it should be handled. The next day found Therese owner as well.
30 December: you quote Jon Bon Jovi on that you should not be complacent. Have you been gubbigare?
- I thought it was a good quote. I've always liked Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi. If that makes me the man I am there.
6 February: you complain about the two punctures. Have you been tjurigare?
- Amateur grumpy, maybe. No, in my defense is a puncture never fun. Terribly annoying. And I was late for a meeting.
- However, I am tjurigare on training again, like when I was younger. I compete against the guys and get really pissed off when they score. It has come back after a few quiet years.
After finals sortin and summer-fire Rangers kept his body and energize the team, among others, Brad Richards. But the major contribution was free.
Teammates noticed on precampen that Henrik Lundqvist had rediscovered his single-minded, sour, determined side.Opponents became aware when the series got under way.
Rangers tops today Eastern Conference clearly has conceded färst goals in the NHL. Henrik Lundqvist has been the league's highest save percentage (94 percent), cuts the second-fewest goals against (1.75) and has held zero most number of times by all (8).
It smacks Vezina Trophy, the prize to the season's best goalkeeper, the 30-year-old.
Teammates noticed on precampen that Henrik Lundqvist had rediscovered his single-minded, sour, determined side.Opponents became aware when the series got under way.
Rangers tops today Eastern Conference clearly has conceded färst goals in the NHL. Henrik Lundqvist has been the league's highest save percentage (94 percent), cuts the second-fewest goals against (1.75) and has held zero most number of times by all (8).
It smacks Vezina Trophy, the prize to the season's best goalkeeper, the 30-year-old.
- Well, it is the general managers who vote. I do not know what their view. It is my best season so far, but I see too little of the other goalies to know, he says.
You started NHL career with three straight Vezina nominations but has not been as close to the price until now. Have you been worse the last - seasons?
- I have been steady, but the first few years I might have been sharper. This year I have driven myself to work harder to get better. I'm a little hungrier. You need to put pressure on yourself.
How is Lundsanityn in New York?
- Jojo, a few walks around with those t-shirts. Jeremy Lin came out of nowhere, and now the basketball and hockey hajpat in town. Personally, it's nice when people appreciate what you do and are excited about the season so far.
The last question may need to be explained. Jeremy Lin is a point two guards who last winter lifted the basketball team the New York Knicks and created "Linsanity". When Lundqvist zeroed Boston February 14 was born hockey equivalent of "Lundsanity", which that day was the second most discussed topic on Twitter.
Lundqvist has understood that he is beginning to be recognized.
There is a picture of yourself you've seen a lot of: you celebrated in the arena, driving a sports car, playing guitar and doing shampoo commercials. What is left, which we do not see?
- No, I do not read everything, but feel that what I have seen gives an honest picture of who I am.
You married in August and have children in July. How will you be like Dad?
- I hope I will be funny. When I get home on days I want to be involved in the child's life and interests. I remember my parents who were incredible support for me. Always helpful, they are not pushed, but supported and assisted.Such a parent, I also want to be.
Have you checked the sex of your baby?
- Not yet. But we will probably do.
"There was a time for love"
If you count back nine months from July will be until October. Seventh October, the NHL premiere at the Globe after a week of Rangers in Europe. In other words, we can shatter a myth about sex and hockey. It's time for love in the season.
- Yes, we had pretty good timing for weddings and training camp. It worked great. It was a tough start with Europe and Canada, but there was time for love.
Record skilled Lundqvist
The goalkeeper rank their finest records in the NHL:
The first Is the first goalie in NHL history to win 30 games in each of his first seven seasons in the league.
"It's a milestone that I'm proud."
The second Nominated first three seasons (06-08) for the Vezina Trophy as the year's goalie. Finished third all times.
"To be nominated three times in a row, it felt good."
The third Has five consecutive years (07-11) has been selected to the Rangers key players.
"I know I have an important role in the team."
Thank you to reader Patric for this article!
Henrik Lundqvist Would Support a Gay Teammate
By Dave Lozo
NEWARK, N.J. -- Henrik Lundqvist is one of the most accommodating players in the NHL, always willing to answer a question at his locker long after most would walk away and a happy and willing contributor to the Garden of Dreams Foundation, a non-profit charity whose goal is to "make dreams come true for kids facing obstacles."
So when Patrick Burke needed assistance with the You Can Play Project, an initiative designed to teach tolerance and acceptance of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community in all sports, Lundqvist was happy to be part of it.
"For me, it's obvious that everyone should have the same rights and ability to play the game, it doesn't matter race or sexual orientation," Lundqvist told NHL.com Tuesday morning. "To me, I think overall, all the hockey players I meet are a respectful group of people. I've never had an issue with it or seen people have issues with it. But when they asked me, if they wanted my help, I would."
Burke, a scout for the Philadelphia Flyers, is the son of Leafs GM Brian Burke, who lost his son Brendan in a car accident in 2010. Before his death, Brendan revealed his homosexuality to his family in 2007 and went public with the information in 2009. Brendan was working toward spreading a message of tolerance and inclusion in the hockey world while working as a student manager and video assistant for the men's hockey team at Miami (Ohio) University at the time of his death.
"I've said it many times -- if a player form the Flyers came out tomorrow and I could improve our team by cutting him, great, see you later," Patrick Burke told NHL.com's Adam Kimelman on Monday. "… Conversely, if I can win a Stanley Cup with 22 gay guys, great. Let's go."
Lundqvist, along with many other high-profile hockey players, including Columbus' Rick Nash, Chicago's Duncan Keith, Toronto's Joffrey Lupul and Dion Phaneuf and Philadelphia's Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell, appeared in a PSA that aired nationally during Sunday afternoon's Bruins-Rangers game on NBC.
Lundqvist said that during his playing days both in Sweden and the NHL with the Rangers, he never knew of a teammate or player that was gay who wanted to come out. Lundqvist also said if that was the case, that person would've been accepted, whether if it was while he was playing for Frolunda or the Rangers.
But Lundqvist also said he understands the difficulty and fear that comes with being open about such a matter in a sports locker room.
"It is a tough mentality, no question," Lundqvist said. "I've never been on a team where guys come out. I don't know how guys would react. I can say from the people I know, that players are very respectful. Honestly, it wouldn't be a problem."
When asked if it would be a problem on this current Rangers team, Lundqvist gave a quick, emphatic answer.
"Absolutely not," he said.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=7172
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Henrik Lundqvist To Be on HBO Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel
The episode will be airing on March 20th.
@JRNYR:@HLundqvist30 with Bryant Gumbel after today's win shooting @hborealsports airing 3/20
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
Happy 30th Birthday, Henrik Lundqvist!
Happy 30th birthday to Henrik (and Joel) Lundqvist! I think number 30's 30th year is going to be a special one. A baby, a Vezina Trophy, a Hart Trophy? The Cup? If he can continue his outstanding play (which I have no doubt he will) it all seems very likely. Here are some random pictures to celebrate his day:
