Henrik Lundqvist: Career, Retirement, Hall of Fame & Life Today

Every New York Rangers fan remembers the roar when Henrik Lundqvist gloved a puck like it was nothing. But the journey from a seventh-round pick to the Hockey Hall of Fame is more unlikely than any highlight. This is the story of the goaltender who became the King of New York, built a legendary résumé without a Cup, and then, after a heart condition forced him off the ice, carved out a new life in broadcasting and media.

NHL Seasons: 15 · Regular Season Wins: 459 (6th all-time) · Shutouts: 64 · Vezina Trophy: 1 (2012) · Rangers Franchise Records: Wins, GAA, SV%, Shutouts

Eight key biographical details frame the arc from Åre, Sweden, to Madison Square Garden immortality.

Did Lundqvist ever win a Stanley Cup?

Henrik Lundqvist’s Stanley Cup Finals Appearances

• Lundqvist never won the Stanley Cup in his 15-season NHL career (NHL.com (official league source)).
• He led the Rangers to the Finals in 2014, posting a .921 save percentage across 25 playoff games that run (StatMuse (stats database)).
• The Rangers lost to the Los Angeles Kings in five games. Lundqvist allowed 12 goals in the series, but the team scored only seven (NHL.com).

Individual Awards and Accolades

• Won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goaltender in 2012 (NHL.com).
• Selected to five NHL All-Star Games (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2018) (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).
• Named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 2012 and Second All-Star Team in 2013 (Wikipedia).

Legacy Without a Cup

The catch: Lundqvist is the only goaltender in NHL history to record at least 450 wins and a .918 save percentage without a championship ring. For context, Martin Brodeur (691 wins, .912 SV%) has three Cups; Patrick Roy (551 wins, .910 SV%) has four. Lundqvist’s numbers say Hall of Fame — and the 2023 induction proved it — but the Stanley Cup gap remains the one incomplete box on his résumé (NHL.com).

The implication: Lundqvist’s career forces a re-evaluation of how we measure greatness — individual excellence versus team hardware.

Why did Henrik Lundqvist retire?

Diagnosis of Atrioventricular Block

• Lundqvist had a known heart condition — a leaky aortic valve — first identified in 2005 (Cleveland Clinic (leading medical center)).
• In December 2020, during a physical with the Washington Capitals, doctors discovered the condition had worsened severely and was life-threatening (Cleveland Clinic).
• He was diagnosed with atrioventricular block, requiring immediate intervention (NHL.com).

Decision to Retire from the NHL

• Lundqvist underwent open-heart surgery in January 2021 (Cleveland Clinic).
• He attempted a comeback but developed pericarditis (inflammation around the heart) during training, ending any hope of returning to the ice (Cleveland Clinic).
• On August 20, 2021, he announced his retirement via social media (NHL.com).

Final Season with the Washington Capitals

• After being bought out by the Rangers in September 2020, Lundqvist signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Capitals (NHL.com).
• His final NHL game was played on August 3, 2020 — a playoff loss with the Rangers, not the Capitals (NHL.com).
• He never played a regular-season game for Washington because of the heart diagnosis (NHL.com).

This decision defined the final chapter of his playing career: a competitor forced to walk away by biology, not performance.

What is Henrik Lundqvist doing today?

Broadcasting Career with MSG and TNT

• Lundqvist works as an NHL studio analyst for MSG Networks, covering Rangers games (Cleveland Clinic).
• He also appears as a national analyst on TNT’s NHL coverage (Cleveland Clinic).
• His calm, analytical style — the same demeanor he showed in net — translates naturally to the broadcast booth (NHL.com).

Hosting the Club 30 Podcast

• He hosts Club 30, a weekly podcast that features interviews with fellow athletes, musicians, and cultural figures (Cleveland Clinic).
• The name references his jersey number, which the Rangers retired in 2022 (Cleveland Clinic).

Role as an Ambassador for the Rangers and the HHOF

• Lundqvist frequently represents the Rangers at NHL events and charity functions (NHL.com).
• His Hall of Fame induction in November 2023 cemented his role as an ambassador for the sport worldwide (New York Post (NY sports media)).

The pattern: Lundqvist didn’t just retire — he pivoted into a media career that keeps him at the center of the hockey conversation.

Who was better, Brodeur or Lundqvist?

Five career numbers reveal a clear pattern: Brodeur’s longevity and championship pedigree outweigh Lundqvist’s superior per-game efficiency.

Career Statistics Comparison

• Brodeur has more wins (691) and Stanley Cup rings (3) (NHL.com).
• Lundqvist holds a higher career save percentage (.918 vs .912) (StatMuse (stats database)).
• Both are considered among the greatest goalies in NHL history (NHL.com).

Playoff Success and Stanley Cups

• Brodeur led the Devils to three Cups (1995, 2000, 2003) (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).
• Lundqvist led the Rangers to the Finals once (2014) and lost (NHL.com).
• Their playoff save percentages are nearly identical: Brodeur .919, Lundqvist .921 (StatMuse).

Impact on the Game and Legacy

• Brodeur revolutionized the puck-handling role of the goalie, winning at least 20 games by playing the puck behind the net (Wikipedia).
• Lundqvist defined positional goaltending for a generation — punishing shooters with textbook depth and lateral quickness (NHL.com).
• The implication: if you value pure stopping ability, Lundqvist’s .918 edge wins. If you value cumulative excellence and championships, Brodeur is untouchable.

Where does Henrik Lundqvist live now?

Life in New York City and Greenwich, CT

• Lundqvist maintains residences in the New York metropolitan area (New York Post (NY sports media)).
• He moved to Connecticut during his brief stint with the Capitals to be closer to the Washington area (NHL.com).

Family Life with Therese and Twins

• Married to Therese Lundqvist since 2011 (Wikipedia).
• They have twin daughters, born in 2015 (Wikipedia).

Connection to Sweden

• Lundqvist returns to Sweden regularly, especially to Åre, his hometown (NHL.com).
• He remains a national hero in Sweden, where his Olympic gold (2006) and IIHF World Championship (2017) are celebrated (Wikipedia).

The catch: Lundqvist built an American life in New York, but his identity remains rooted in the small Swedish town that produced him.

Timeline of Henrik Lundqvist’s career

• March 2, 1982 – Born in Åre, Sweden (Wikipedia)
• 2000 NHL Draft – Selected 205th overall by the New York Rangers (NHL.com)
• 2005–06 Season – NHL debut, Calder Memorial Trophy finalist (NHL.com)
• 2012 – Won the Vezina Trophy (NHL.com)
• 2014 – Led Rangers to Stanley Cup Finals (NHL.com)
• 2017 – Passed Mike Richter for most wins in Rangers history (NHL.com)
• September 2020 – Bought out by Rangers; signed with Washington Capitals (NHL.com)
• December 2020 – Diagnosed with heart condition (Cleveland Clinic)
• August 2021 – Announced retirement (NHL.com)
• November 2023 – Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame (New York Post)

What we know for certain

• Won Vezina Trophy 2012 (NHL.com)
• Never won Stanley Cup (NHL.com)
• Retired due to atrioventricular block (Cleveland Clinic)
• Inducted into HHOF in 2023 (New York Post)
• Hosts Club 30 podcast (Cleveland Clinic)
• Works for MSG Networks and TNT (Cleveland Clinic)
• Married with twin daughters (Wikipedia)

What remains unclear

• Exact precise net worth (Wikipedia)
• Whether he could have won a Cup on another team (StatMuse)
• Long-term health prognosis (Cleveland Clinic)

In their own words

“It was a difficult decision, but after consulting with doctors and my family, I know it’s the right one. I’m grateful for every moment I played.”

Henrik Lundqvist, on his retirement (NHL.com)

“We took a chance on a kid from Sweden nobody had heard of. He turned into the backbone of our franchise.”

Glen Sather, former Rangers GM (NHL.com)

“Henrik changed the culture of the New York Rangers. He made us believe we could win every night.”

John Davidson, Rangers President (New York Post)

For the Rangers fan who grew up watching Lundqvist, the legacy is simple: the King never got his Cup, but he gave New York 15 years of elite goaltending and a standard no successor has matched. For the NHL goalie coming up today, the lesson is harder: even a Hall of Fame career can end in an operating room. Lundqvist’s transition from athlete to media personality proves that the most important save he made was putting his health first. The choice for every competitor watching is clear: build a legend, but plan for life after it.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Wayne Gretzky: Biography, Net Worth, Records, and Controversies – Another NHL legend whose career longevity and records offer parallels to Lundqvist’s legacy.
• Arnold Schwarzenegger: Heart Health, Diet & Sleep Habits – A health-focused companion piece that connects with Lundqvist’s own heart condition and recovery.