Freddy Modin retires

by Clark J Brooks on May 20, 2011 6:47 AM EDT in Lightning Franchise news

Former Tampa Bay winger Freddy Modin skated for the Maple Leafs, Blue Jackets, Kings, Thrashers and Flames in addition to the Lightning (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Former Lightning winger Fredrik "Freddy" Modin has announced his retirement after 15 seasons in the NHL. A native of Njurunda, Sweden, Modin has been plagued by chronic back problems of late. He finished his career as a member of the Calgary Flames, where he played only four games and didn't record a point.

His most productive years in the NHL came with the Lightning after being acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs prior to the 1999-00 season. During his time in Tampa Bay, he played in 445 games, scoring 145 goals and notching 141 assists.

Known for his booming slapshot, he was a key contributor to the Lightning's Stanley Cup winning team in 2004, scoring 19 points (8 goals, 11 assists) during the playoff run. He was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets after the 2005-06 season for goalie Marc Denis.

In addition to his accomplishments in the NHL, he successfully represented Sweden in international competition, winning an IIHF World Championship gold medal in 1998 and an Olympic gold medal in 2006.

From IIHF.com:

"It is not an easy decision to make," said Modin to the Swedish Dagbladet newspaper. "But it the right decision for the future. The most important thing is to be healthy and my back has been hurting for a while now. After all, I am soon 37 and things don’t get any easier...I will definitely do something in hockey in the future. Whether it will be as a coach or in another function, we’ll see. I will definitely take my time to consider what I really want to do."

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Comments

thanks freddy for all the great memories

you’ll always be remembered as one of the best here in tampa

by Penaholic on May 20, 2011 8:38 AM EDT reply actions

I think it’s safe to say that he was always a real close second to Brad Richards in players we always hoped we could get back at some point.

by Clark J Brooks on May 20, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I have to agree there. Damian Cristodero asked yesterday if Modin was underappreciated. No, not byt he fans. It was more by the media presentation of the team.

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on May 20, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

You’re absolutely right. Any fans I know absolutely love the guy. While I don’t think that his career merits number retirement, I’ll always associate #33 with him.

by Clark J Brooks on May 20, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

He def. could have a spot iwth the club if he doesn’t stay in Sweden. I’d love to see him doing TV work like Dave and Dinger do.

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on May 20, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Modin was a warrior

And will go down in history as such. He took so much punishment cycling the puck witrh St. Louis and Richards, who were much more shifty than he was. He was probably the best Lightning forward defensively to this day, and the best penaly killer.

Don in St Pete

by Don in St Pete on May 20, 2011 10:14 PM EDT reply actions