Most seventh-round picks in the NHL Entry Draft don't end up becoming top goal-scoring threats on perennial Stanley Cup contenders. Yet Henrik Zetterberg has done just that, going from unremarkable draftee to top prospect to Hockeytown staple in a relatively short period of time.
It's safe to say not many North American fans had heard of Zetterberg when the Detroit Red Wings picked him 210th overall in 1999. But after a few more seasons playing in his native Sweden, scouts started to take notice. When the 2002 Winter Olympics rolled around, analysts were calling him the best player in the tournament not playing in the NHL.
The Red Wings remedied that situation shortly thereafter, and Zetterberg had a fine rookie season in 2002-03, scoring 22 goals and 44 points. He really took off after the NHL lockout, netting 39 goals in the 2005-06 regular season as well as six playoff goals in just six games.
Zetterberg led the Wings in goals in 2006-07 and 2007-08, but saved his best work for the postseason. Starring on both ends of the ice by tying for the NHL lead in playoff scoring and helping bottle up Sidney Crosby, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup.
The Detroit fan base includes plenty of collectors, and they've made Zetterberg into a hobby star who runs neck and neck with Rick Nash and Jason Spezza in most 2002-03 sets. Don't fret if you're just thinking about collecting his rookie cards now though: the four manufacturers active that year cooked up 33 different rookies, ranging from his simple Topps Total # 426 to his extravagant autographed patch UD Premier Collection # 81.
Henrik Zetterberg 2002-03 Rookie Cards
- BAP All-Star Edition # 139 - #'d to 100
- BAP Memorabilia # 286
- BAP Signature Series # 190
- Bowman YoungStars # 137
- Crown Royale # 113 - #'d to 2299
- ITG Used # 198 - #'d to 100
- Pacific # 405 - #'d to 999
- Pacific Calder # 116 - #'d to 825
- Pacific Exclusive # 197 - autographed, #'d to 1000
- Pacific Heads-Up # 132 - #'d to 1000
- Pacific Quest for the Cup # 117 - #'d to 950
- Parkhurst # 216 - #'d to 500
- Parkhurst Retro # 216 - #'d to 300
- Private Stock Reserve # 160 - #'d to 99
- SP Authentic # 186 - autographed, #'d to 999
- SP Game Used # 75 - #'d to 750
- SPx # 151 - autographed jersey card #'d to 1250
- Stadium Club # 127
- Titanium # 114 - #'d to 99
- Topps # 331
- Topps Heritage # 131
- Topps Total # 426
- UD Artistic Impressions # 92
- UD Classic Portraits # 111 - #'d to 1500
- UD Foundations # 151 - #'d to 1250
- UD Honor Roll # 151 - jersey card
- UD Mask Collection # 162 - #'d to 1250
- UD Piece of History # 128 - #'d to 1500
- UD Premier Collection # 81 - autographed patch card #'d to 99
- UD Top Shelf # 127 - #'d to 500
- Upper Deck # 234
- Upper Deck Rookie Update # 168 - dual autographed card with Gordie Howe #'d to 199
- Vanguard # 113 - #'d to 1650
