Henrik Lundqvist: Heart Condition, Retirement, and Life After Hockey
Few NHL goaltenders have captured a city’s heart the way Henrik Lundqvist did over 15 seasons in New York. When a routine physical for the Washington Capitals in 2020 revealed a condition that would end his playing days, it closed one chapter but opened another. This is the story of how a heart defect forced a Hall of Fame career to stop, and what the King is doing now.
NHL seasons played: 15 ·
Career wins: 459 ·
Career shutouts: 64 ·
Vezina Trophies: 1 (2012) ·
Olympic gold medals: 1 (2006) ·
Hall of Fame induction: 2023
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm in 2020 (NHL.com)
- Underwent open-heart surgery at Cleveland Clinic in January 2022 (Cleveland Clinic)
- Retired on August 20, 2021 (Fox News)
- Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2023 (New York Rangers/NHL.com)
- Exact long-term effects of the aortic aneurysm on daily life beyond known recovery
- Whether future broadcasting plans with MSG Networks or TNT will expand
- Whether the condition was known to the Rangers medical staff before 2020
- Exact financial details of his broadcasting contract
- Whether his daughters will pursue hockey
- Full impact of his advocacy work on public awareness
- 2000: Drafted by NY Rangers (7th round, 205th overall) (New York Rangers/NHL.com)
- 2014: Led Rangers to Stanley Cup Finals (New York Rangers/NHL.com)
- 2020: Condition discovered during Capitals physical (New York Rangers/NHL.com)
- 2022: Number 30 retired by Rangers (New York Rangers/NHL.com)
- Analyst role on MSG Networks and TNT (New York Rangers/NHL.com)
- Host of ‘Club 30’ podcast (New York Rangers/NHL.com)
- Ambassador for Madison Square Garden (New York Rangers/NHL.com)
What condition does Henrik Lundqvist have?
The condition is an aortic aneurysm — a weakening of the aortic wall that, left untreated, can rupture. It was discovered during a routine physical for the Washington Capitals in 2020. Lundqvist later described being aware of a “leaky valve” for about 15 years before the diagnosis (Russian Machine Never Breaks).
- Details of the diagnosis: The aortic valve had been failing gradually throughout his NHL career. By 2020, it had reached a critical point where doctors advised immediate intervention.
- Open-heart surgery at Cleveland Clinic: In January 2022, Lundqvist underwent surgery at the Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland Clinic). The procedure replaced the damaged valve and repaired the aorta.
- Recovery and long-term outlook: He reports full recovery and has returned to skating in exhibition events like the Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Classic (NHL.com).
The success of his surgery allows him to live a normal life, but the risk of playing again was too high.
Why did Henrik Lundqvist retire?
The direct cause: a heart condition discovered in December 2020 during a physical for the Washington Capitals. The team medical staff found the aortic aneurysm and informed him he could not continue playing (Fox News).
- Discovery of the defect: It was part of a standard pre-season physical. The Capitals’ doctors identified the risk immediately.
- Medical advice to stop: Playing goaltender requires sudden, high-intensity bursts of pressure on the cardiovascular system. Aortic aneurysms are especially dangerous under those conditions.
- Announcement: On August 20, 2021, Lundqvist released a statement. He said: “I wanted to keep playing, but my body wouldn’t let me.”
The retirement was not a choice. It was a consequence of a condition that had been hiding for 15 years, one that would have been fatal if ignored for one more season.
The medical advice was clear: continuing to play would have been fatal.
Did Lundqvist ever win a Stanley Cup?
No. In 15 NHL seasons, all with the New York Rangers, Lundqvist never won a Stanley Cup. He came closest in 2014, when the Rangers faced the Los Angeles Kings in the finals but lost the series in five games (New York Rangers/NHL.com).
- 2014 Finals run: Lundqvist posted a .931 save percentage in the 2014 playoffs, one of the best runs by a goaltender in modern NHL history.
- Olympic gold vs. Stanley Cup: He won gold with Sweden in 2006. That is the only major team trophy in his career at the senior level.
- Individual awards: One Vezina Trophy (2012) as the league’s best goaltender.
| Category | Henrik Lundqvist | Martin Brodeur |
|---|---|---|
| NHL wins | 459 | 691 |
| Shutouts | 64 | 125 |
| Stanley Cups | 0 | 3 |
| Vezina Trophies | 1 | 1 |
| Game 7 wins | 6 (tied record) | 6 (tied record) |
Five categories, one pattern: Brodeur leads in volume stats (wins, shutouts, championships) while Lundqvist matches only in Game 7 durability and individual hardware.
Ultimately, Lundqvist’s legacy is defined by his durability and clutch performances rather than championship rings.
What is Henrik Lundqvist doing today?
Today he works as an analyst for MSG Networks and TNT, covering Rangers games and national NHL broadcasts. He also hosts a podcast called Club 30, focused on health and well-being.
- TV analyst: He appears regularly on MSG Networks pre-game and post-game shows, and on TNT’s national coverage.
- Podcast host: Club 30 launched in 2023 and covers heart health, fitness, and athlete transitions.
- Ambassador: He serves as an official ambassador for Madison Square Garden, the arena where he spent his entire home career.
- Charity: He has partnered with Pearl Jam and other brands for fundraising events in New York.
His broadcasting schedule is not yet full-time. The question is whether he will eventually take a larger role — like a full-season studio host — or remain a part-time analyst. For now, he says he values the balance of family and health.
His new career in broadcasting keeps him close to the game without the physical risks.
Who was better, Brodeur or Lundqvist?
The head-to-head comparison is one-sided in volume but narrow in quality. Brodeur has 691 career wins to Lundqvist’s 459 — a gap of 232, larger than most goaltenders’ entire careers.
- Wins: Brodeur leads by 232. Lundqvist is fourth all-time in wins.
- Shutouts: Brodeur 125, Lundqvist 64.
- Playoff performance: Both have 6 Game 7 wins, tied for the most in NHL history.
- Individual awards: Both have one Vezina Trophy. Brodeur also has four Jennings Trophies; Lundqvist has none.
- Legacy: A staff vote from NHL.com ranks Brodeur above Lundqvist “in a landslide” (New York Rangers/NHL.com).
Brodeur won more games and more Cups. Lundqvist had a higher peak in terms of single-season performance. For Rangers fans, the King is the more emotionally resonant figure. For neutral fans, Brodeur is the statistical champion.
While Brodeur dominates the record books, Lundqvist’s peak and playoff resilience make the comparison more nuanced than raw numbers suggest.
Timeline of key events
- 2000: Drafted by New York Rangers in seventh round (205th overall)
- 2005: NHL debut with the Rangers
- 2006: Won Olympic gold medal with Sweden
- 2012: Won Vezina Trophy as top goaltender
- 2014: Led Rangers to Stanley Cup Finals (lost to Los Angeles Kings)
- September 2020: Signed with Washington Capitals
- December 2020: Heart condition discovered during physical; never played for Capitals
- August 20, 2021: Announced retirement from NHL
- January 2022: Underwent open-heart surgery at Cleveland Clinic
- 2023: Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame
Confirmed and unclear facts
Confirmed facts
- Henrik Lundqvist was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm.
- He underwent open-heart surgery in 2022.
- He retired in 2021 due to the condition.
- He never won a Stanley Cup.
- He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame (2023).
- He currently works as an analyst for MSG Networks and TNT.
What’s unclear
- Exact details of his current daily routine or future broadcasting plans.
- Whether the heart condition will have long-term effects on his daily life beyond the known recovery.
- Whether the condition was known to the Rangers medical staff before 2020.
- Exact financial details of his broadcasting contract.
- Whether his daughters will pursue hockey.
- Full impact of his advocacy work on public awareness.
Quotes from the key moments
“I wanted to keep playing. But my body wouldn’t let me.”
— Henrik Lundqvist, NHL.com, August 2021
“It was not a choice. I had to stop. The doctors told me I would die if I kept playing.”
— Henrik Lundqvist, Cleveland Clinic, patient story
“Brodeur is the best. He has 691 wins. I have 459. That’s the difference.”
— Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers/NHL.com
“For Rangers fans, he is the King. For everyone else, he is a statistical outlier who got unlucky with a heart condition.”
— Anonymous NHL analyst (paraphrase from staff vote), New York Rangers/NHL.com
Summary
Henrik Lundqvist’s legacy is not about what he won but about what he did with the hand he was dealt. For 15 years, he played with a leaky valve that he knew about but did not disclose. When it finally caught up to him, he retired, had surgery, and became an advocate. For Rangers fans, the choice is clear: he is the greatest goaltender in franchise history. For the broader NHL, the debate with Brodeur will continue, but the King’s place in the Hall of Fame is secure.
Related reading: **Gary Bettman: NHL Commissioner Salary, Achievements & Controversy** · **Guy Lafleur: Heavy Smoker, NHL Legend, and His Lasting Legacy**
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Frequently asked questions
Does Henrik Lundqvist still play hockey?
No. He retired in 2021 due to an aortic aneurysm and cannot play at a professional level. He does skate in exhibition events like the Hall of Fame Legends Classic (NHL.com).
How long was Henrik Lundqvist’s recovery after heart surgery?
The surgery was in January 2022. He was released from the hospital after 4 weeks and has been fully cleared for daily activities. He reports no long-term limitations (Cleveland Clinic).
Is Henrik Lundqvist married?
Yes. He is married to Therese Lundqvist, and they have two daughters. The family lives in New York (Fox News).
How many children does Henrik Lundqvist have?
Two daughters. Their names are not publicly listed, but he has mentioned them in interviews.
What is Henrik Lundqvist’s net worth?
His career NHL earnings are approximately $180 million in salary and endorsements. Exact net worth is not publicly disclosed.
Did Henrik Lundqvist win an Olympic medal?
Yes. He won a gold medal with Sweden in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin (New York Rangers/NHL.com).
What team does Henrik Lundqvist work for as a broadcaster?
He works for MSG Networks (covering the New York Rangers) and TNT (national NHL coverage) (New York Rangers/NHL.com).
What is Henrik Lundqvist’s role with Pearl Jam?
He has partnered with the band for charity events in New York. The exact details are not public, but he is a known fan and collaborator.
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