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Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg explains why he is moving away from a big career. Traverse City, September 14, 2018.
Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press

Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg arrives for the Joe Louis Arena opener against the Ottawa Senators on Monday, October 17, 2016.(Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press)

He's snuck up on people. Both on the ice and off.

It's not that you did not see Henrik Zetterberg coming, it's because you often did not see him at all.

That he be behind the room, waiting … out of sight of the camera, before sneaking to take a pass and redirect her to the net, or if he was walking in the Somerset Mall, an invisible superstar. to blend in with the crowd.

He fainted in the same way. A larger and recognizable figure now, certainly. But a player whose game reached its peak years ago.

Zetterberg announced that he was giving up his skates Friday morning. A victim of too much back pain. This pain slowed him down in the latter part of his career and blurred the memory of his quality.

Even in his diminished state, he leaves a gaping hole. Both in the way he coached the youth of the formation and in the way he wore the "C" of his captain on his jersey.

More: Who will intervene while the Detroit Red Wings will manage without Henrik Zetterberg

Ken Holland, the general manager of the team, said that he would remember Zetterberg as one of the biggest players in the history of the franchise. But he will also remember his presence in the locker room. Because he must also replace it.

"He's a guy standing," Holland said Friday morning of the training camp. "He (the only one) was answering all the questions on behalf of the team (after a defeat)."

The first time I met Zetterberg for a long conversation, it was during the winter of 2008. We sat in a dimly lit parlor at the Joe Louis Arena and each time that we were there. a teammate passed by, he stopped and made a double take. Zetterberg finally spoke to the American media himself.

Back in his native Sweden, Zetterberg was already a star, the subject of feature articles and big enough for Swedish television producers to send teams to Detroit. In fact, shortly before the interview, the hosts of a makeover show in Sweden filmed the attack of the Red Wings.

Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg was shaved for his 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at the Joe Louis Arena.

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(From left to right) Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock stands with his All-Star team Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Lidstrom Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at the Joe Louis Arena to show off the jerseys that They will bring to the match of the stars.

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Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg in the Wings 4-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday, November 9, 2007 at Joe Louis Arena.

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Red Wings striker Henrik Zetterberg is interviewed after testing at Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday, May 6, 2008, before meeting the Dallas Stars at the Western Conference finals.

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The Swedes from Detroit's Red Wings after training at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI on Thursday, September 24, 2009. From left to right, Andreas Lilja, Niklas Kronwall, Henrik Zetterberg, Nicklas Lidstrom, Tomas Holmstrom, Johan Franzen and Jonathan Ericsson.

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The Red Wings return Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk on Monday, October 1, 2007.

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Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg, right, celebrates his goal with Pavel Datsyuk in the first period against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at Joe Louis Arena.
Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg grimaced after being controlled by Tampa Bay Lightning defender Mattias Ohlund in the first period on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at Joe Louis Arena.
Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg celebrates with the Stanley Cup after the Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final on Monday, June 2, 2008 in Pittsburgh.

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Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg is featured on the ice before the Wings' home opener against Minnesota Wild at the Little Caesars Arena on Thursday, October 5, 2017.

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(From left to right) The Red Wings Mikael Samuelsson, Niklas Kronwall, Tomas Holmstrom, Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Lidstrom are the gold medal winners as members of the Swedish hockey team at the Olympic Winter Games in Turin, at a ceremony prior to Red Wings vs. Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at Joe Louis Arena.
Red Wings striker Henrik Zetterberg looks ahead to the Buffalo Sabers first period on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 in Buffalo, New York.
Swedish striker Henrik Zetterberg, right, reacts in front of defender Tomas Kaberle after Sweden scored a goal in the second period of a men's hockey match at the 2014 Winter Olympics , February 12, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
The Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg is introduced before the hockey game against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at the Joe Louis Arena.
Henrik Zetterberg, the 1999 pick of the Detroit Red Wings, answers questions from reporters on Thursday, May 16, 2002 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.
Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg arrives for the Joe Louis Arena opener against the Ottawa Senators on Monday, October 17, 2016.

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Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg talks to the media in the locker room after the first day of training camp at Compuware Arena in Plymouth on Sunday, January 13, 2013.
Red Wings strikers Henrik Zetterberg, left, and Dylan Larkin take a break during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Center on March 29, 2016.
The Red Wings left wing, Henrik Zetterberg, will face the Devils in the second half on Friday, November 7, 2014 at Joe Louis Arena.
Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg talks to the media after arriving at Anaheim, California, Romulus on Monday, May 12, 2013.
Red Wings striker Henrik Zetterberg, left, listens to owner Mike Ilitch at a press conference announcing that the Red Wings have signed him for a 12-year contract, the longest of the history of the team.

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Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg in the Wings draw against the Predators on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at the Joe Louis Arena.

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Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg skates during warm-ups before the Montreal Canadiens game at the Bell Center on March 21, 2017.
Detroit Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg and his son, Love Zetterberg, watch a video honoring Zetterberg before his 1,000th career game on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at Joe Louis Arena against the New Jersey Devils in the final match Joe. Little Caesars Arena.

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Detroit Red Wings Henrik Zetterberg skates on the ice to warm up at the start of the trials.
Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg speaks with the media at Metro Airport after returning from a win in the fifth game of the Western Conference semifinal against the San Jose Sharks .

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Henrik Zetterberg holds the Conn Smythe Trophy he received for being the playoff MVP as he travels to Woodward at the Red Wings Stanley Cup Parade on Friday, June 6, 2008.

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Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg skates on the ice as he is introduced before the Joe Louis Arena opener on October 17, 2016.

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Red Wings striker Henrik Zetterberg was able to push Coyotes goalkeeper Mike Smith aside for the winner in their 3-2 win on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at Joe Louis Arena.

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Red Wings general manager Ken Holland congratulates Henrik Zetterberg after receiving his new captain jersey at a press conference at Compuware Arena in Plymouth on Tuesday, January 15, 2013.
Red Wings Niklas Kronwall, left, talks with Henrik Zetterberg during the Compuware Arena scramble in Plymouth on Tuesday, January 15, 2013.
(From left to right) The former Detroit Red Wing, Nicklas Lidstrom, with former teammates Henrick Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall and Pavel Datsyuk before Lidstrom's No. 5 was retired at Joe Louis Arena. , Thursday, March 6, 2014.
(From left to right) Red Wings Henrik Zetterberg, Valtteri Filppula and Nicklas Lidstrom are arguing just ahead of a second-round showdown against the Panthers in Detroit on Sunday, April 1, 2012, at the Joe Louis Arena.

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Red Wings Henrik Zetterberg was happy to be on the ice during testing on Monday, April 9, 2007 at the Joe Louis Arena.

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Red Wings striker Henrik Zetterberg stretches out during a training break in Detroit on Monday, April 9, 2012.

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Red Wings striker Henrik Zetterberg spoke to media in the locker room after the team's try-out for the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at the Joe Louis Arena.

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Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg at the start of his training for match 4 against the San Jose Sharks on May 5, 2010, at the Joe Louis Arena.

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Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg at the press conference in Detroit on Sunday, May 5, 2013.
Red Wings striker Henrik Zetterberg eliminated Penguins forward Sidney Crosby as he tries to pass the puck to Wings in the second half of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 .

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The Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg celebrates after scoring in the first period against the St. Louis Blues at Joe Louis Arena on February 1, 2013.
Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg before the Winnipeg Jets game at the MTS Center on November 4, 2013.
Henrik Zetterberg is congratulated by the fans after Sweden's victory after beating Finland 3-2 in the gold medal round at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin on 26 February 2006.

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Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg is introduced before the opening game against the Buffalo Sabers on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at the Joe Louis Arena.

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Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg shoots against Maple Leafs goaltender Ed Belfour at Joe Louis Arena on February 27, 2003.

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Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk watch the action during the third period of Game 6 against the Phoenix Coyotes on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at the Joe Louis Arena.

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The Red Wings Pavel Datsyuk, on the left, and Henrik Zetterberg on the bench between the games during the tests at Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday, April 20, 2004.

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The Red Wings overthrow Henrik Zetterberg with Jim Gregory, Senior Vice President of the NHL. Hockey Operations, with the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl following the Wings' extension to win the Western Conference Finals between the Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at the Joe Louis Arena.

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Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg talks to reporters before the Wings travel to Pittsburgh for the Stanley Cup final on Monday, June 1, 2009.

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Red Wings striker Henrik Zetterberg skates as the team faced Center Ice Arena in Traverse City on September 13, 2002.

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Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg on the first day of training camp at the Center's ice rink on Friday, September 15, 2006 in Traverse City.

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Red winger Detroit defeated Henrik Zetterberg against Sabers goalkeeper Mika Noronen at Joe Louis Arena.

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Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg, left, sits on the bench as he works alongside Captain Steve Yzerman, right, during a break against the Vancouver Canucks at Joe Louis Arena on Thursday, October 16th. 2003.

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Red Wings Henrik Zetterberg vs. Kings at Joe Louis Arena, October 23, 2002

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Red Wings striker Henrik Zetterberg is waiting for a game in the first period against the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at Joe Louis Arena.

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Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg in the 4-3 overtime victory over the Blues on Sunday, December 8, 2002 at Joe Louis Arena.

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Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg takes the ice for the winter classic held at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Friday, December 31, 2008.

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Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg lifts the Stanley Cup after a 3-2 victory in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 in Pittsburgh.

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Red Wings striker Henrik Zetterberg will head for the 18th hole at Bear's Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme on Friday, August 19th, 2008.

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Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg smiles in an interview for the Stanley Cup finals at Cobo Hall on Thursday, May 22, 2008.

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Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg skates on the ice during the second period against the Maple Leafs in the Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on January 1, 2014.
The Detroit Red Wings are watching a big-screen video at Michigan Stadium at the National Hockey League press conference next season in Detroit on Thursday, February 9, 2012. The coaches are Mike Babcock and Nicklas Lidstrom. , Niklas Kronwall, goalkeeper Jimmy Howard, Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. JULIAN H. GONZALEZ / Detroit Free Press

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Red Wings rookie Henrik Zetterberg
Red Wings striker Henrik Zetterberg, right, and his wife, Emma Andersson, after their wedding in 2010.

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It was an American reality TV show with IKEA to highlight the brave side of one of the best two-way hockey players in the world. But in the United States, even in Detroit, he could grab a table at his favorite restaurant in peace.

It was the year when the Wings won the Stanley Cup. Zetterberg was dominant. And yet he was not connected to Hockeytown yet. Holland had trouble understanding.

He remembers attending a luncheon earlier this season when the topic was discussed.

"It was me, Scotty Bowman, Steve Yzerman and Mike Babcock," said Holland at that time. "Someone mentioned that people feel because it's European, it's not the same thing."

He did not buy it. Sergei Federov had come from Russia. Nik Lidstrom from Sweden. Holland thought the sub-radar celebrity was more complicated.

Partly because of the nature of Zetterberg's game – he was neither particularly quick nor quick, he was not big, he was not very bright.

And partly because of his natural reluctance.

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That day, Yzerman reminded the crowd that he too had been a reluctant interview in Detroit and that he too was not always so sure of himself.

"Stevie grew up in that," said Holland, "people fell in love with him because he played loud every night and because they won."

Fans tend to react more easily to toughness, external trust and the ability to see you. And if Hockeytown had never completely fallen in love with Zetterberg, he finally kissed him.

Winning this 2008 Cup has helped. As did his incessant effort to be great.

Was he awesome?

Sometimes, absolutely. He and Pavel Datsyuk defeated Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin at the Cup. And for a while, there was no better player in either direction.

Except for Datsyuk.

It was the other shadow that Zetterberg had to go through … the brilliance of his own teammate, as well as the memory of all the Hall of Fame members he was following.

On the surface, he leaves the game with a Hall of Fame case. But it's not a lock.

You can not make fun of the legacy he left at Hockeytown.

At the highest level, he was a professional pro, a knowledgeable and instinctive player who played harder than his mount and whose understanding of the rhythms and angles of the game allowed him to flourish in a way that was not always obvious.

Or, as Holland said on Friday morning, Zetterberg helped bring "this franchise for a decade".

Even when we have not always noticed.

Contact Shawn Windsor at 313-222-6487 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @shawnwindsor.