(WXYZ) — The Detroit Red Wings have hired former captain Nicklas Lidstrom to be the team's vice president of hockey operations.
VP and GM Steve Yzerman made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon. In his role, Lidstrom will be involved in all aspects of hockey operations for the team.
"We encourage him and have asked him to get involved in every aspect," Yzerman said. "For all of us, to be able to pick his brain... it's a tremendous resource."
The 51-year-old Lidstrom is one of the most decorated players in NHL history, playing his entire 20-year career for the Red Wings. His No. 5 jersey was retired during the 2013-14 season, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015.
Lidstrom said Tuesday he had been thinking about returning to the Red Wings organization for a long time. He will still live in Sweden and will work with the team on his schedule.
"Where I'm at with my family, the kids are getting older, I want to get involved with hockey a little more than I have been," said Lidstrom. "I thought this was a good opportunity."
