With four Stanley Cup wins, Tomas Holmstrom was a pivotal part of the Detroit Red Wings’ golden era. Often stationed in front of the net and constantly battling defenders, he agitated his fair share of goaltenders. Now, he has revealed which goaltender hated him the most.
The Detroit Red Wings of the late 1990s and early 2000s were one of the greatest teams ever to play in the NHL. Their roster during those years featured numerous future Hall of Famers, including Brendan Shanahan, Brett Hull, Nicklas Lidstrom, Steve Yzerman, and Luc Robitaille. But there was also Tomas Holmstrom.
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Tomas Holmstrom won four Stanley Cups
Drafted in the tenth (!) round, 257th overall, in the 1994 NHL Draft, few could have predicted the success Holmstrom would go on to have during his 15-season NHL career. He played more than 1,000 games and lifted the Stanley Cup four times—in 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008. Throughout his career, Holmstrom became known as one of the best players in the world at screening opposing goaltenders, as well as for his relentless physical play in front of the net.
Frustrated a lot of goaltenders
Needless to say, Tomas Holmstrom frustrated plenty of goaltenders with his constant presence in the crease. While appearing as a guest on the Ozzy and Keats podcast, hosted by Chris Osgood and John Keating, Holmstrom spoke about his time battling in front of the net and revealed which goaltenders disliked him the most—and what they put him through.
”I would get death threats”
“I got my ice time in front of the net, which is a good spot to be at,” Holmstrom said. “I think Eddie Belfour—he was going nuts in Dallas. And Patrick Roy was not a big fan either. I would get death threats, but usually it was a stick between the legs, a slash on the calves, or a stick right on the bells.”
You can watch the video below.
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