Henrik Sedin

Infobox Ice Hockey Player

---

image_size=230px
team=Vancouver Canucks
league = NHL
position = Centre
shoots = Left
height_ft = 6
height_in = 2
weight_lb = 190
nationality = SWE
birth_date = birth date and age|1980|09|26
birth_place = Örnsköldsvik, SWE
draft = 3rd overall
draft_year = 1999
draft_team = Vancouver Canucks
career_start = 2000

Henrik "Hank" Sedin (b. September 26, 1980, in Örnsköldsvik) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League. His identical twin brother Daniel Sedin also plays for the Canucks. Throughout their career, Henrik and Daniel have played inseparably together and are known for the effective way in which they play off of one another. Henrik, gifted as a passer, is known as the playmaker, and Daniel the scorer.

Playing career

Henrik began his professional career with Daniel in 1997-98 for Modo of the Swedish Elite League as a 16-year-old. In their second year with Modo, Henrik and Daniel led a team that included future NHLers Samuel Påhlsson and František Kaberle in scoring — Henrik tied for second with Påhlsson.

As a result of their successful 1998-99 season in Sweden, the Sedins drew considerable attention for the upcoming 1999 NHL Entry Draft. Naturally, it would seem certain that as top prospects, Henrik and Daniel would be chosen by two different teams, and consequently be split up in the NHL, but after a series of complex transactions, Vancouver Canucks general manager Brian Burke, bent on acquiring both Sedins, obtained the second and third overall picks, selecting Daniel and Henrik respectively.

Following the draft, Henrik chose to return to Sweden with Daniel to play one more season with Modo, in which he subsequently led the team in scoring with 47 points in 50 games, beating Daniel by 2.

In 2000-01, Henrik played his first season for the Canucks, tallying 29 points. In the following seasons leading up to the 2004-05 lockout, he consistently increased his points total, but along with Daniel, did not yet meet first-line scoring expectations.

During the lockout season, Henrik returned to Sweden to play again for Modo, along with Daniel and teammate Markus Näslund. He also participated in the 2005 World Championships for Sweden.

In 2005-06 Henrik broke out with 75 points, finishing second in team scoring behind Näslund. Newly acquired Anson Carter played on Henrik and Daniel's line.

The following season, 2006-07, Henrik established himself as the Canucks' top-line center. Having another career year, he set a new Canucks franchise record (previously set by André Boudrias in 1974-75) for assists in one season with 71; in total, Henrik tallied 81 points. Another highlight from the 2006-07 season included Henrik scoring the game-winning goal against the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs to end the sixth longest game in NHL history, and the longest game in Canucks history. The game occurred on April 12, 2007, and finished after 78:06 of overtime.

In 2007-08, Henrik was selected to play in the 2008 All-Star Game, the first appearance of his career, and recorded two assists against the East. [cite press release|url=http://canucks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=349490|title=Henrik Sedin Named to Western Conference All-Star Team|publisher=Canucks.com|date=2008-01-10|accessdate=2008-01-10] He completed the season as the Canucks' leading scorer with 76 points. Henrik's 61 assists ranked fourth overall in the league for the second consecutive season.

Family

Henrik was born six minutes before his brother, Daniel. They share two older brothers and five younger sisters.

In the summer of 2007, Henrik married his wife, Johanna; they now have a son, Valter (Walter).

Awards and achievements

* Golden Puck (Elitserien player of the year) - 1999 (shared with Daniel Sedin)
* Olympic Gold medal (Turin) - 2006
* NHL All-Star Game - 2008
* Cyrus H. McLean Trophy (Canucks' leading scorer) - 2008

Records

* Vancouver Canucks' franchise record for assists in one season - 71 (2006-07)

Career statistics

International play

Henrik has played for Sweden in the following competitions:
* 1999 World Juniors
* 1999 World Championships (bronze medal)
* 2000 World Juniors
* 2000 World Championships
* 2001 World Championships (bronze medal)
* 2005 World Championships
* 2006 Winter Olympics (gold medal)

International statistics

ee also

*Notable families in the NHL

References

External links

*hockeydb|34007
*nhlprofile|8467876