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Monday, November 16, 2020

Henrik Lundqvist Wants to Compete to be Washington's Starting Goalie; Plans to Return to the Rangers After he Retires

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Henrik Lundqvist reveals return to Rangers Ice hockey Henrik Lundqvist, 38, has just started a new chapter in Washington Capitals. But the saga will end - in the New York Rangers.

 - 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.

Saturday, November 7, 2020

New Henrik Lundqvist Swedish Interview; Says the "Rangers will always be a part of me, for the rest of my life"

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After 15 seasons, Henrik Lundqvist's time in the New York Rangers is over. - There have been tears and many conversations with the family. But now it just feels good, he says. In an exclusive interview with SportExpressen, he tells about the family's plans for the move to Washington, how his daughters reacted over dad changing teams and about his recharging with tennis matches against John McEnroe.

 Henrik Lundqvist moved to New York at the age of 23 in the summer of 2005. It's been a very long time ... Göran Persson was then Prime Minister and George W Bush President. Then there was neither Twitter nor Instagram and Bianca Ingrosso was ten years old. Henrik Lundqvist became the audience favorite directly in Madison Square Garden. He then broke rows of club records, was named the league's best goalkeeper and played a Stanley Cup final. At the end of September, the New York Rangers chose to buy out Henrik Lundqvist from his last year on the contract. Just over five weeks later, the news came that the 38-year-old Swedish goalkeeper was ready for the Washington Capitals. 

Recently, Henke himself posted a TV clip, while training in a rink in New Jersey, wearing his new red Washington shirt. Henrik and his wife Therese were also visiting Washington recently with their children: Charlise, eight years old, Juli, four years old. Then Henke offered a happy TV clip as he danced around on a sidewalk in the city with his daughters. Ovetchkin is not allowed to practice direct shots In Washington, he is also reunited with his old teammate Carl Hagelin and national team mate Nicklas Bäckström, with whom Henke won World Cup gold in Cologne 2017. 

Henke suddenly becomes a teammate with Russian superstar Alexander Ovechkin. They have talked to each other and Henke has joked and said that Ovetchkin will not be allowed to train direct shots at him. Lundqvist has met Ovechkin and Washington in five hot playoff duels over the years, the Capitals won the first two, but the Rangers the last three in 2012, 2013 and 2015 - and all of these went to a seventh decisive match. Then Henke Lundqvist cracked the rivals from the US capital. Otherwise, over the years, two players have been most successful against Lundqvist with 24 goals in Swedish over the years, Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin  Now Lundqvist and Ovechkin are teammates. Capital's plan is for the promising Russian Ilya Samsonov to become the first goalkeeper - experienced Lundqvist will be a challenger.

 It will take time to get used to playing in Washington. Is that so for you too? 
 - Hehe. Yes, it is clear that this is a new chapter, absolutely. But I have put a lot of time into this whole process, so that I can really come to what feels right for me.

 How did you think? - It is clear that I began to realize when my time in New York came to an end. It already started when Rangers decided on a "rebuild" two years ago, when it would begin construction in the long term. My first 13 years we went to win and it was here and now that mattered. This has not been the case in recent years. Then it has been more of a future thinking. 

Are you disappointed with that? - My dream and goal has always been to end my career in New York. But then things happen out of your control, which cannot be influenced. Then it is important to be adaptable. Then I have to say that I just feel grateful to Rangers for everything I have been a part of that club. 

A club change like this can be like a divorce, it's not like you're a little angry and want to show the Rangers that they were wrong to let you go? 
- No, that's not the case at all. I think this part of my career, this new chapter - it has nothing to do with Rangers. This is just about myself and what I wanted to do in a new situation. - I had a long relationship with Rangers. But it was time for me to take the next step. When I think back on my 15 years in New York, I just feel joy and gratitude. I feel a good feeling. I think back on everything I have experienced and everyone who has supported me. - I will always appreciate my years in New York. Rangers will always be a part of me, for the rest of my life. I feel very proud of it. It also makes it easier to take the next step. But I do not remain in what has been. Now it's history.

 How was it that you would continue to play hockey - did you think of quitting? - Yes, all the cards were on the table. It really was a process to go through. That was not easy. It started with the fact that I had to get used to the idea that it would be something completely new. I went I went through a lot of different thoughts. But in the end I came to the conclusion that I still think it's so much fun to play. I was not ready to quit.

 "An adventure for the whole family" He says there were many conversations at home in the Manhattan apartment with his wife Therese and the children. He really wanted to involve the whole family. - We wanted to do something that felt good for the whole family. This is going to be a challenge and an adventure for all of us.

 How did your thoughts go when choosing a team? - We had four or five good option. We went through carefully what would fit best. What did the team look like? Where did I have a good chance to play a lot? Where anywhere was the best chance of winning? - Washington was really the best option. An exciting team with many good players and a good coach. And then there was the practicality. It's close to New York. Our children will stay in school in New York, the family will stay there. But we will have a home in Washington as well. Now we do not know at all what the game program will look like, so we have to take it a bit on the spur of the moment.

 Judging by your dance steps, did you like Washington? - Yes, haha. We had a great weekend there and visited, among other things, the home of the Hagelin family and the Bäckström family. We looked at accommodation. We thought it was exciting and an adventure - the whole family. 

But what do the girls, who have always cheered on Rangers, say about Dad changing teams? - Yes, hehe, it's not entirely easy, especially not for the oldest, who has been to so many games in the Garden. So this has been a process for them too. But now they just think it's an exciting one. Right now, it's just positive emotions. Then I'm 38 years old, I have a one-year contract. We are not talking about several years. 

But Washington, after all the playoff duels over the years - have not the Capitals been Rangers' worst rivals? - No, if you play in Rangers, then it is the teams in the New York region: Islanders and New Jersey, who are the worst rivals. And Philadelphia. Not Washington.

 But how did Rangers fans take this? - I can say that, when everything happened a few weeks ago, I received such support and love from so many places that it was absolutely fantastic. It was absolutely overwhelming to take it in. It was very emotional. 

Tears? - Yes, it has been extremely emotional. It was tears, absolutely, for both me and the family. 
He says that the feelings are joy and gratitude - and a little sad that the time in Rangers is over and he describes the last few weeks.
 - There have been tears and many conversations with the family. Then this was Rangers' decision. I accept that. But my love for the sport makes me want to continue playing and no one can blame me for that. I feel very straightforward in this situation and I only feel positive energy from the fans in New York.
 But if you keep a clean sheet against Rangers next season - then fans will not love you as much? - Haha, maybe not. But again, now it's the Capitals that apply to me. Then it will be a special season and probably matches completely without an audience. But it is clear that it will be very special to meet Rangers. 

If you had won that Stanley Cup final against Los Angeles in 2014 - would you have played on then? - It is clear that the desire to win is a big driving force, but then I still think it is so fun to play. Now I drive on my own with some coaches in a rink in New Jersey. I've been doing that for a month. I feel well prepared.

 How do you charge more? - I play some tennis. Against John McEnroe among others. We usually do it from time to time. Sometimes I even played against his brother Patrick as well. 

But you and John McEnroe (!) - two extreme winners - how are you? Do you argue if the ball has been inside or out? - Haha, no then, it's calm.
 Hm ... is that really true? - Yes, they are still incredibly good. So there will not be many matches when I play against them. It will be more like training. Very good training. 

Dreaming of doing like Raymond Bourque When I tell you that I was in the decisive final in Denver in 2001 when Raymond Bourque won the Stanley Cup after all the years in Boston and club changes to Colorado, Henrik becomes curious.
 - Well, you were there. I watched the match on TV in Sweden, says Henke and laughs when I tell about the reporter next to me in the press gallery who cried so the mascara ran so she became completely striped in the face.

 Do you daydream about making a Raymond Bourque? - I have had so many thoughts all autumn. I thought a lot about what I want to do in the future, even after hockey. But hockey remained what I want to do now. I am open to much else after my career and I have contacts in New York and a lot that interests me. But right now, my focus is on doing my best for the Washington Capitals. - Then the Stanley Cup is the goal. But just as much the journey there. I am very much looking forward to playing again. 

In 2020, the world has been shaken by the corona pandemic - how has your year been? - It has not been normal for anyone. Everything is upside down. But you have to find some form of normal feeling and security in everyday life. We were at home in Sweden a lot during the summer. Now the children are back in school, which is open in New York. You can only try to make the best of it.
https://www.expressen.se/sport/hockey/varit-tarar-och-manga-samtal-med-familjen/