Niklas Kronwall was born January 12, 1981 in Stockholm, Sweden. The 1st choice, 29th overall selection of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Kronwall honed his skills in the Swedish Elite League before making his North American debut during the 2003-04 season.
A stay-at-home Defenceman, Kronwall split his rookie season with the Red Wings and their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids. In 2005-06, Kronwall earned a spot in the Red Wing line-up, however he would miss the majority of the season recovering from knee surgery. The following season Kronwall 67 games and established new career high records in points scored (22) and assists (21). He bettered those records in 2007-08 and appeared in 21 games of the post-season in which he tied for the lead in points by a defenseman in the playoffs with 13. Kronwall and the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup that year, making the Stockholm, Sweden native a member of the Triple Gold Club (Olympic Gold, Stanley Cup, World Championship).
On the international stage, Kronwall is a two-time member of Sweden's World Junior team (2000 and 2001) and a two-time member of its World Championship team (2003 and 2005). In 2006, Kronwall earned his first Gold Medal in the Winter Olympics.
