Tomas Holmström
Encyclopedia
Tomas Holmström is a Swedish
professional ice hockey
left winger
currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings
of the National Hockey League
(NHL), where he has won four Stanley Cup
championships. He is widely considered as one of the best in the game at screening goalies and causing havoc in front of the net.
in 1993 during a national team selection camp, where Holmström missed the cut, then again the next year while playing with Boden where his coach, Niklas Wikegård
, told Andersson that Holmström was the team's best player. He was drafted 257th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft
and has played for the Red Wings since 1996 with the exception of the season lost to the 2004–05 NHL lockout where Holmström returned to Sweden
to play for his old team, Luleå HF
in the Swedish elite league Elitserien
.
On April 7, 2007, Holmström scored his 30th goal of the 2006–07 season
against the Chicago Blackhawks
, achieving the first 30 goal season of his career.
Holmström scored 12 points during the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs
as the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup for the fourth time in 11 years. On his day with the Cup, he had his cousin's daughter baptised in it.
He was inducted into the Piteå Wall of Fame
in 2006.
From the beginning, it was decided that Tomas Holmström would play in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. However, due to a knee injury Holmström got on February 13, 2010, in a game between his Detroit
and Ottawa
in the NHL
, it was announced on February 14, 2010, that he would be replaced by Johan Franzén
. That announcement came from Tre Kronor's head coach Bengt-Åke Gustafsson
.
In 2009-10, he scored 25 goals (2nd to Pavel Datsyuk's 27, including a team-high 13 on the power play), and 45 points in 68 regular-season games. On Jun 4, 2010 he agreed on a two year deal to remain in Detroit.
the opposing goaltender
. Because he has to withstand hits from pucks as well as his opponents in this position, he wears several extra pads to protect his body. During a playoff series against the Columbus Blue Jackets
in 2009, Detroit coach Mike Babcock
said of Holmström, "I think there's (defencemen) out there who think they might actually get to him. That's just not possible."
Holmström is known to many fans in Detroit by the nickname of "Homer." He acquired the nickname "Demolition Man" while playing in Sweden (where he was also called "Holma").
Statistics as of May 25, 2007.
Swedes
Swedes are a Scandinavian nation and ethnic group native to Sweden, mostly inhabiting Sweden and the other Nordic countries, with descendants living in a number of countries.-Etymology:...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
left winger
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL), where he has won four Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
championships. He is widely considered as one of the best in the game at screening goalies and causing havoc in front of the net.
Playing career
Holmström was first noticed by Red Wings scout Håkan AnderssonHåkan Andersson (ice hockey)
Håkan Andersson is a Swedish amateur hockey scout who currently serves as the Director of European Scouting for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League ....
in 1993 during a national team selection camp, where Holmström missed the cut, then again the next year while playing with Boden where his coach, Niklas Wikegård
Niklas Wikegård
Niklas Wikegård is a Swedish former ice hockey player and coach, currently working for the TV4 Group as a color commentator in ice hockey-related shows....
, told Andersson that Holmström was the team's best player. He was drafted 257th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft
1994 NHL Entry Draft
The 1994 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Hartford Civic Center on June 28–29, 1994.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
and has played for the Red Wings since 1996 with the exception of the season lost to the 2004–05 NHL lockout where Holmström returned to Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
to play for his old team, Luleå HF
Luleå HF
Luleå Hockeyförening is an ice hockey club from Luleå, Sweden. Luleå is the most northern club in the league and has played in Elitserien constantly since the 1984-85 season. They have won the Swedish championships once, in 1996...
in the Swedish elite league Elitserien
Elitserien
Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...
.
On April 7, 2007, Holmström scored his 30th goal of the 2006–07 season
2006–07 Detroit Red Wings season
The 2006–07 Detroit Red Wings season was the 81st National Hockey League season in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings entered a new era, following the retirement of longtime captain Steve Yzerman after 22 seasons in the NHL, all with Detroit...
against the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
, achieving the first 30 goal season of his career.
Holmström scored 12 points during the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs
2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 9, 2008, after the 2007–08 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions...
as the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup for the fourth time in 11 years. On his day with the Cup, he had his cousin's daughter baptised in it.
He was inducted into the Piteå Wall of Fame
Piteå Wall of Fame
The Piteå Wall of Fame is a wall of fame at Kvarnvallen Icestadium in the Swedish town of Piteå. Here, the players who started their career in an ice hockey club in Piteå and played in the Tre kronor are honored with a plate on the wall with a photo and career facts...
in 2006.
From the beginning, it was decided that Tomas Holmström would play in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. However, due to a knee injury Holmström got on February 13, 2010, in a game between his Detroit
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
and Ottawa
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
, it was announced on February 14, 2010, that he would be replaced by Johan Franzén
Johan Franzen
Johan Franzén is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :Franzén started playing ice hockey in Boro/Vetlanda HC, Landsbro near Vetlanda in Sweden...
. That announcement came from Tre Kronor's head coach Bengt-Åke Gustafsson
Bengt-Åke Gustafsson
Bengt-Åke Gustafsson is a retired Swedish ice hockey player. Gustafsson is a former head coach of the Sweden men's national ice hockey team, a post he held from February 2005 to May 2010. During his American career he was often called Bengt Gustafsson or Gus.Gustafsson spent nine seasons in the...
.
In 2009-10, he scored 25 goals (2nd to Pavel Datsyuk's 27, including a team-high 13 on the power play), and 45 points in 68 regular-season games. On Jun 4, 2010 he agreed on a two year deal to remain in Detroit.
Playing style
Holmström is known for standing in front of the goal to screenScreen (sports)
A screen is a blocking move by an offensive player, by standing beside or behind a defender, to free a teammate to shoot, receive a pass, or drive in to score. In basketball, it is also known as a pick. Screens can be on-ball , or off-ball...
the opposing goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
. Because he has to withstand hits from pucks as well as his opponents in this position, he wears several extra pads to protect his body. During a playoff series against the Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in 2009, Detroit coach Mike Babcock
Mike Babcock
Michael "Mike" Babcock, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey head coach of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League and former player. He serves as head coach of the Red Wings. He also served as the head coach of Team Canada in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver...
said of Holmström, "I think there's (defencemen) out there who think they might actually get to him. That's just not possible."
Holmström is known to many fans in Detroit by the nickname of "Homer." He acquired the nickname "Demolition Man" while playing in Sweden (where he was also called "Holma").
Awards
- ElitserienElitserienElitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...
gold medal with Luleå Hockey in 1996. - Named to the Swedish All-Star Team in 1996.
- Gold medal at the Winter Olympics in 2006Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics-Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and...
. - Stanley CupStanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
(Detroit Red Wings) in 19971997 Stanley Cup FinalsThe 1997 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the Detroit Red Wings and the Philadelphia Flyers. Detroit was in the Final for the second time in three years while the Flyers were making their first appearance since the 1987 Final...
, 19981998 Stanley Cup Finals- Detroit Red Wings - 1998 Stanley Cup Champions :- Stanley Cup engravings :* Wally Crossman was oldest person engraved on the Stanley Cup at age 87....
, 20022002 Stanley Cup FinalsThe 2002 Stanley Cup Finals was contested by the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings and the Eastern Conference champion Carolina Hurricanes, making their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Detroit defeated Carolina in five games to win their tenth Stanley Cup championship...
, 20082008 Stanley Cup FinalsThe 2008 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series that determined the National Hockey League champion for the 2007–08 season. As a culmination of the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings defeated the Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh...
.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
+/- | PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | ||
| 1994–95 | Luleå HF Luleå HF Luleå Hockeyförening is an ice hockey club from Luleå, Sweden. Luleå is the most northern club in the league and has played in Elitserien constantly since the 1984-85 season. They have won the Swedish championships once, in 1996... |
SEL Elitserien Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden... |
40 | 14 | 14 | 28 | — | 56 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | — | 20 | ||
| 1995–96 | Luleå HF | SEL | 34 | 12 | 11 | 23 | — | 78 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 8 | — | 22 | ||
| 1996–97 1996–97 AHL season The 1996–97 AHL season was the 61st season of the American Hockey League. The league renames its divisions due to relocating teams. The Northern Conferences consists of the Atlantic Division becoming the Canadian Division, and the Central Division becoming the Empire State Division... |
Adirondack Red Wings Adirondack Red Wings The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -1 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
47 | 6 | 3 | 9 | -10 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 | ||
| 1997–98 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 57 | 5 | 17 | 22 | 6 | 44 | 22 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 9 | 16 | ||
| 1998–99 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 82 | 13 | 21 | 34 | -11 | 69 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 1999–00 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 72 | 13 | 22 | 35 | 4 | 43 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 16 | ||
| 2000–01 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 73 | 16 | 24 | 40 | -12 | 40 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 8 | ||
| 2001–02 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 69 | 8 | 18 | 26 | -12 | 58 | 23 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 7 | 8 | ||
| 2002–03 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 74 | 20 | 20 | 40 | 11 | 62 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 2003–04 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 67 | 15 | 15 | 30 | 8 | 38 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 10 | ||
| 2004–05 2004–05 Elitserien season The 2004–05 Elitserien season was the 30th season of Elitserien. It started on September 20, 2004, with the regular season ending March 1, 2005. The playoffs of the 81st Swedish Championship ended on April 11, with Frölunda HC taking the championship.... |
Luleå HF | SEL | 47 | 14 | 16 | 30 | -10 | 50 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -7 | 18 | ||
| 2005–06 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 81 | 29 | 30 | 59 | 14 | 66 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 12 | ||
| 2006–07 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 77 | 30 | 22 | 52 | 13 | 59 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 14 | ||
| 2007–08 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 59 | 20 | 20 | 40 | 9 | 58 | 21 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 4 | 26 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 53 | 14 | 23 | 37 | 18 | 38 | 23 | 2 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 22 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 68 | 25 | 20 | 45 | 5 | 60 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 12 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 73 | 18 | 19 | 37 | -6 | 62 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| SEL totals | 121 | 40 | 41 | 81 | — | 184 | 23 | 7 | 4 | 11 | — | 60 | ||||
| AHL totals | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -1 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| NHL totals | 952 | 232 | 274 | 506 | 37 | 729 | 102 | 42 | 46 | 88 | 26 | 152 | ||||
International play
Holmström has played for Sweden in the following competitions:- 1996 World Championships1996 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships- Group 2 :- Quarterfinals :- Consolation Round 11-12 Place :Austria was relegated to Group B.- Semifinals :- Match for third place :- Final :-World Championship Group B :...
- 2002 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 2002 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics were held at the E Center in West Valley City and Peaks Ice Arena in Provo, Utah. Both the men's and women's tournaments were won by Canada, defeating the host USA in both games.-Men:...
- 2004 World Cup of Hockey2004 World Cup of HockeyThe 2004 World Cup of Hockey was an international ice hockey tournament. It was the second installment of the National Hockey League -sanctioned competition eight years after the inaugural 1996 World Cup of Hockey. It was held from August 30 to September 14, 2004, and took place in various venues...
- 2006 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics-Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and...
(gold medal)
International statistics
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Sweden | WC 1996 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships - Group 2 :- Quarterfinals :- Consolation Round 11-12 Place :Austria was relegated to Group B.- Semifinals :- Match for third place :- Final :-World Championship Group B :... |
6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 12 | |
| 2002 | Sweden | Oly 2002 Winter Olympics The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout... |
4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| 2004 | Sweden | WCup World Cup of Hockey The World Cup of Hockey is an international ice hockey tournament. Inaugurated in 1996, it is the successor to the previous Canada Cup, which ran from 1976 to 1991... |
4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 | |
| 2006 | Sweden | Oly 2006 Winter Olympics The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter... |
8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 10 | |
| Senior int'l totals | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 32 | |||
Statistics as of May 25, 2007.