The Henrik Lundqvist Blog

Henrik Lundqvist All-Star Weekend Photos

2012-01-30T21:45:00.000-05:00

Henrik Lundqvist is a Perfect Human Being

2012-01-30T01:05:00.000-05:00

By Andrew Gross

Nobody's born perfect. Some though, through talent, temperament and personality, are better equipped to present that illusion.

Henrik Lundqvist, for instance.

The franchise goalie plays in his third NHL All-Star Game today — joined by teammates Marian Gaborik and Dan Girardi as well as coach John Tortorella — and likely will be named the Rangers' MVP for a sixth straight season.

Off the ice, his for-charity band with tennis legend John McEnroe and drummer Jay Weinberg (son of The E Street Band's Max) is prepping for next month's gig. And Lundqvist, a Madison Square Garden fan favorite whose matinee idol looks have been featured in several fashion shoots, just launched his Crown Collection of apparel to benefit the Garden of Dreams Foundation, for which he is the spokesman.

And yet Lundqvist, who turns 30 on March 2, swears his unflappable persona, his native New Yorker vibe with his immaculately tailored skinny suits and overall media-friendly patience, is a learned trait after growing up in Are, Sweden, a ski-crazy municipality with a population around 10,000.

"No, no, no," Lundqvist said with a laugh when asked if he's always been so comfortable in the public eye. "When I was younger, I wasn't uncomfortable with myself but, in big groups, I was very uncomfortable speaking to a lot of people. I grew up in a really small town so, for me, a big mass of people made me uncomfortable.

"I turned pro when I was 18," Lundqvist added. "There were more and more media around me, more and more people around me. Growing up with my brother [twin Joel, a forward for Frolunda in the Swedish Elite League], he's the same way. We were pretty quiet in a new group. I'm still pretty quiet in a new group but now I feel comfortable."

Yet all of Lundqvist's off-ice pursuits and interests — other than playing guitar he loves going to the movies on an off-day — allow him to be the goalie he is, which is one of the world's best.

He knows when to give to others and when to focus on himself.

"I think he's learned over the years how to be able to do it," Rangers veteran backup goalie Marty Biron said. "You can see how he can handle all that. Not a lot of people can do it. You have to have a special set of genetics to do that."

The DNA to seem perfect.

The Lundqvist twins first played organized hockey when they were 8 and, by the time Henrik was 10, his parents had bought him his first guitar. His first band was with Joel (bass) and their older sister, Gabriella, (drums), who became a tennis player.

"The biggest thing about playing guitar is playing together," Lundqvist said. "I love just getting together with a couple of guys and playing in a studio, not so much in front of people. I find that the most exciting thing, when you feel like you're improving as a group and you get tighter."

Lundqvist wasn't always able to compartmentalize. As a younger goalie, he joked he focused on hockey, "not 24/7, maybe 20/7."

"He's very easy going at times, extremely focused at others and he balances that very well," added Biron, in his second season with the Rangers. "I've gotten to know him more this year; we sit next to each other on the plane and watch our TV show together. It's all there as advertised. He wears it on his sleeve. He wants to win, wants to play, wants to be the best and, obviously, it's showing on the ice, especially this year."

Lundqvist, a three-time Vezina Trophy finalist, is 22-10-4 with a 1.87 goals-against average and poised to extend his NHL record with his seventh straight season of at least 30 wins to start his career.

"I think it calms us to see that he's so in control of what he's doing," defenseman Steve Eminger said. "He's not an arrogant or cocky guy. He's confident in himself and I think that confidence rubs off on us."

Plus, having Biron (9-2-0, 1.88 GAA) playing so effectively only helps as, per Tortorella and goalie coach Benoit Allaire's plan, Lundqvist likely will play his fewest games since his rookie season.

Lundqvist said he's playing at 12-13 pounds under his listed weight of 195 after changing his workout and eating habits this past summer, also allowing him to stay fresher.

Yes, life is good for Lundqvist – and the Eastern Conference-leading Rangers – as he approaches a milestone birthday.

"I remember Benny told me after last year, goalies, when they're closing in on age 30, they usually get better, they have a better understanding," Lundqvist said. "I wasn't sure what he meant. But I think I'm getting a better understanding of the game and reading plays and players. I guess, around 30, you have a good understanding and you're not slow yet."

The closest Lundqvist has come to perfection. So far.

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/pro_sports/hockey/138280364_Henrik_perfect_guy_for_the_job.html?page=all&mobile=1

Henrik Lundqvist Pre-All-Star Game Video Interview

2012-01-30T00:22:00.000-05:00

Henrik Lundqvist Post-All-Star Game Video Interview

2012-01-30T00:00:00.001-05:00

Henrik Lundqvist Post-Skills Competition Video Interview

2012-01-29T03:51:00.002-05:00

Watch Henrik Lundqvist Interview Jonathan Quick

2012-01-29T00:12:00.003-05:00

Watch Henrik Lundqvist Make Incredible Save on Malkin in Skills Competition

2012-01-28T22:38:00.000-05:00

Henrik Lundqvist Pre-Skills Competition Video Interview

2012-01-28T22:34:00.001-05:00

Henrik Lundqvist All-Star Weekend Photos

2012-01-28T17:45:00.000-05:00

Watch Henrik Lundqvist Choose the Skills Team

2012-01-28T01:47:00.002-05:00

Another Henrik Lundqvist All-Star Media Day Video Interview

2012-01-28T01:44:00.002-05:00

Joey the Junior Reporter Interviews Henrik Lundqvist

2012-01-28T01:24:00.001-05:00

Henrik Lundqvist All-Star Media Day Video Interview

2012-01-28T01:17:00.000-05:00

Henrik Lundqvist & Marian Gaborik Post-All-Star Draft Video Interview

2012-01-27T00:43:00.004-05:00

Henrik Lundqvist Pre-All-Star Draft Video Interviews

2012-01-27T00:27:00.000-05:00

Henrik Lundqvist Robs Tanner Glass 1/24/12

2012-01-25T01:57:00.000-05:00

Henrik Lundqvist Records 40th Shutout of Career

2012-01-25T01:29:00.000-05:00

From Ranger Rants:

Henrik Lundqvist, in his seventh season in the NHL, has just tied Dave Kerr (1934-41) for second place on the Rangers’ all-time shutouts list with 40. Eddie Giacomin leads the franchise with 49 but Lundqvist has a chance to surpass that next season. One day, no doubt, Lundqvist’s No. 30 will hang in the Madison Square Garden rafters along Giacomin’s No. 1 and Mike Richter’s No. 35.

“Most importantly, we got two points going into the break, guys can relax and enjoy themselves,” said Lundqvist after making 22 saves and earning the game’s first star (Ryan Callahan got the celebratory Broadway Hat). “It was important to end it strong.”

Lundqvist said he actually knew at the morning skate today that he would be starting because Marty Biron was ill. Goalie coach Benoit Allaire called him as he drove to the practice facility for the morning optional.

“So it was not the last minute, which is good,” Lundqvist said.

As for shutout No. 40, “This franchise has been around so long. To be on a list like that means a lot to me.”

Henrik Lundqvist Post-Game Video Interview

2012-01-24T23:50:00.001-05:00

Exclusive Henrik Lundqvist Crown Collection Q&A Video Interview

2012-01-23T19:01:00.001-05:00

Henrik Lundqvist launched his clothing line, the Crown Collection at Madison Square Garden on 1/19/12. Proceeds of the Crown Collection go to the Garden of Dreams Foundation, which Henrik is the spokesman for. The first 150 people to purchase an item from the clothing line received wristbands allowing them entrance to a private Q&A held after the game in the Delta

Sky Lounge. I was one of those lucky few. This is my video. Henrik was also gracious enough to sign autographed photo cards of himself modeling the new clothes ahead of time and The "Blue Crew" handed them out to us as we left. Henrik is a class act, and his clothes are really cool looking too, so I suggest you check them out next time you're at the Garden.

MSG released this video:

Henrik Lundqvist Post-Practice Video Interview

2012-01-23T16:48:00.003-05:00

Henrik Lundqvist Swedish Videos (Watch Henrik Lundqvist Race Gaborik on West Side Highway/ Watch Henrik Lundqvist Eat French Fries

2012-01-22T22:34:00.001-05:00

All set to "Midnight City" by M83. Excellent choice for background music, may I add.

This interview looks awesome. As always, it would be very much appreciated if a Swedish reader could translate the interview for the rest of us. Thank you in advance.

Henrik Lundqvist Post-Game Video Interviews

2012-01-21T23:41:00.001-05:00

Henrik Lundqvist Post-Practice Video Interview

2012-01-21T01:10:00.000-05:00

Henrik Lundqvist Talks Crown Collection Video Interview

2012-01-21T00:48:00.003-05:00

Henrik Lundqvist Post-Game Video Interview

2012-01-20T02:08:00.001-05:00