PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Henrik Lundqvist was forced to end his career last year as a result of heart surgery.
During the goalkeeper’s long and successful career, wife Therese Andersson has always been by his side – albeit in a less prominent role.
Now Lundqvist reveals why.
Henrik Lundqvist, 40, has spent 15 seasons with the New York Rangers where he achieved legend status. However, after a heart operation last year, the goalkeeper was forced to put the picking glove on the shelf – something that caused the club to retire Lundqvist jersey number 30.
In 1998, when Lundqvist played in Frölunda, he met his wife Therese Andersson who has since been with and has been a mainstay for “Lunkan” throughout his career. The couple also have two children together, Charlie and July.
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Reveals the decision
However, the family members have not had such a prominent role and have most often stayed in the background.
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In the new SVT documentary “Henrik Lundqvist – a hockey saga”, Lundqvist now reveals the reason behind it.
– It was actively chosen for the sake of the children and her, that it’s nice when we’re out when people don’t know who they are. She feels comfortable in that role, says Lundqvist in the documentary.
“Has no choice”
That it is problematic to combine a professional life at the absolute top of the world with family life is something that Lundqvist is open about, and he also believes that you are forced to sacrifice certain things.
– You sacrifice a lot there, you spend time on hockey and travel and preparation instead of family. You have no choice, it is what it is. I think it is important that they also feel that you are present, what little there is during the winter, he says.
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In addition to two World Cup silvers and one World Cup silver, the goalkeeping icon’s merit list includes two World Championship golds, one World Cup gold and the for many classic Olympic gold from Turin 2006. In 2012, Lundqvist was also voted the NHL’s best goaltender , and no other goaltender has played more games or kept more clean sheets than Henrik Lundqvist did in the New York Rangers.