28 replies to this topic

[USNAVYABH]

I was just watching some old you tube videos.

Saw Homer used to wear #15.
Does any one now when and  why he changed?

Just wondering.
Tom

[Travis]

He switched in March of '98 because Dimitri Mironov wanted 15.

[ComradeWasabi]

I know he wears 96 for the year he came from Sweden (1996). When Scotty Bowman found out about this, he told him he should wear 98, for the year he's going to go back.

[HankthaTank]

I believe 1996-97 was his first year with the Red Wings, so almost like his Wings year birthdate maybe... Not sure but that's the best thing I could come up with.

[55fan]

I know he wears 96 for the year he came from Sweden (1996). When Scotty Bowman found out about this, he told him he should wear 98, for the year he's going to go back.

My learned Comrade is correct.
I had thought that I had a photo in my album of him in his #15, but I was mistaken. If I find it, I'll post it.

[Jersey Wing]

The first time I really heard much about him I learned he had the nickname 'Demolition Man' and I was thinking yyyyyyeeeeeeaaaaahhhhhhh, ok, I think you're going to need to PROVE that to me Mr. Holmstrom.

He's the best net agitator/goalie screener/puck tipper ever. Yes ever. For decades to come announcers will compare a goalmouth battle/tip in score to 'Just like Tomas Holmstrom used to do back in the day'. I reiterate Wings fans should chip in and buy him a $5000 recliner chair as a thank you one day when they have Tomas Holmstrom is retiring night.

[CenterIce]

He switched in March of '98 because Dimitri Mironov wanted 15.

This is correct. Mironov was acquired at the trade deadline. Being the veteran, he got preference of the number over Holmstrom.

[GMRwings1983]

15 is a number that should be retired, since it was worn by both Mironov and Jason Woolley.

[Trapt1307]

15 is a number that should be retired, since it was worn by both Mironov and Jason Woolley.

How dare you forget Todd Gill.

Twice.

[Donaldjr2448]

Tomas Holmstrom signed my 1997 Stanley Cup with the Number 15!! I still have that thing today!!! I LOVE IT!! When I met him, he spoke 0 English!! HE didn't say anything to me, just signed whatever I had!! I think he was star struck by all the Wings fans at Wingsfest that day!!

[VM1138]

The first time I really heard much about him I learned he had the nickname 'Demolition Man' and I was thinking yyyyyyeeeeeeaaaaahhhhhhh, ok, I think you're going to need to PROVE that to me Mr. Holmstrom.

He's the best net agitator/goalie screener/puck tipper ever. Yes ever. For decades to come announcers will compare a goalmouth battle/tip in score to 'Just like Tomas Holmstrom used to do back in the day'. I reiterate Wings fans should chip in and buy him a $5000 recliner chair as a thank you one day when they have Tomas Holmstrom is retiring night.

I love the idea of getting him a recliner. He's been through the battles like few ever have, when he retires he deserves to be lazy.

[Echolalia]

Tomas Holmstrom signed my 1997 Stanley Cup with the Number 15!! I still have that thing today!!! I LOVE IT!! When I met him, he spoke 0 English!! HE didn't say anything to me, just signed whatever I had!! I think he was star struck by all the Wings fans at Wingsfest that day!!

He still speaks zero english.

It amazes me how fluent and without accent Lidstrom is, and then in contrast Homer sounds like a chainsaw hacking away at what can sometimes be deciphered as English language. It adds to his charm.

[Booster313]

I know he wears 96 for the year he came from Sweden (1996). When Scotty Bowman found out about this, he told him he should wear 98, for the year he's going to go back.

Sergei Fedorov chose 91 for his first year in the NHL as well.

[Trapt1307]

He still speaks zero english.

It amazes me how fluent and without accent Lidstrom is, and then in contrast Homer sounds like a chainsaw hacking away at what can sometimes be deciphered as English language. It adds to his charm.

All of the Swedes speak pretty much flawless English except for Holmstrom. Lilja's was really good too. He didn't even really have an accent.

Edited by Trapt1307, 11 May 2011 - 11:50 PM.

[drumnj]

It's called Swenglish and he's the only person in the world that is fluent in it.

[weGotTheCup89]

It's called Swenglish and he's the only person in the world that is fluent in it.

I believe the stat is 90% of Swedes speak English. Last year I was at game 1 of the Elitserien finals and someone said something offhand in Swedish, I said I only spoke English, and he said "Oh! Sorry, I didn't realize."

Also, ARE YOU KIDDING: you remembered Woolley, Mironov and Gill, but forgot Pat Verbeek? 522 career goals

[Nev]

He's the best net agitator/goalie screener/puck tipper ever. Yes ever. For decades to come announcers will compare a goalmouth battle/tip in score to 'Just like Tomas Holmstrom used to do back in the day'..

Um, Phil Esposito?

[RusDRW]

Um, Phil Esposito?

Phil was great at it, no doubts. He was also much better player. Still Holmstrom is the best at what he does. Intensity and clutch and grab style of late 90th when everything was allowed make him better.

[cusimano_brothers]

Holmer.

[mjlegend]

Where are you now, Johan Garpenlov? A lonely nation turns its eyes to you.



Woo woo woo.