Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Now Holmstrom Can Go Home

01/07/2013 at 10:10pm EST

via Nicholas J. Cotsonika of Yahoo on 2/10/12,

In March 1998, late in his second season with the Detroit Red Wings, Holmstrom gave up No. 15 to newly acquired veteran Dmitri Mironov. He switched to No. 96 to honor the year he arrived in the NHL, but coach Scotty Bowman suggested something else.

The details have gotten hazy, and they depend on who you talk to. But the conversation went something like this:

“You should wear 98,” Bowman said.

“What do you mean?” Holmstrom said. “Why?”

“Because that’s the year you’ll be going home.”

from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,

Scotty Bowman has coached a thousand players, but no one quite like Tomas Holmstrom. Here was a guy who came over from Sweden with none of the usual skills of a European forward, but something else: Determination so immense it was tangible.

Holmstrom’s willingness to go where no one else would go — the front of the net— earned him a distinguished career with the Red Wings, but one that he’s ready to call over. He informed the club this afternoon that he’s done playing. The announcement will be made formal later this week, a person familiar with the situation told the Free Press.

continued

Create an Account

In order to leave a comment, please create an account.

About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

Email Paul anytime at [email protected]

Most Recent Posts

Most Recent Comments

Comment by VPalmer in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Same Lineup Tonight - 21 minutes ago
Comment by dca in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Same Lineup Tonight - 35 minutes ago
Comment by dca in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Same Lineup Tonight - 37 minutes ago
Comment by dca in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Same Lineup Tonight - 38 minutes ago
Comment by dca in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Same Lineup Tonight - 41 minutes ago