Niklas Kronwall /

Niklas Kronwall (born January 12, 1981) is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has gained notoriety for being an open ice hitter and started his career in Järfälla HC. His younger brother Staffan plays for Djurgårdens IF. Niklas Kronwall was selected in the 1st round, 29th overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. He continued to play for Djurgårdens IF until he came to North America in 2003. He played 20 games for Detroit in the 2003–04 season, scoring one goal and four assists for five points, to go along with 16 penalty minutes. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Kronwall played a complete season for the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Red Wings' top affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). He notched 13 goals and 40 assists in 76 games while also playing a solid defense. For his efforts, Kronwall was awarded the Eddie Shore Award as the top defenceman in the AHL. Kronwall was injured in an exhibition game against Colorado Avalanche in September 2005 and missed more than half of the 2005–06 season with a serious knee injury. In late 2005, he was named member of the