Sports
Frans Nielsen
born 1984 · ice hockey forward
The first Danish-born NHL player, who signed a six-year free agent deal with the Red Wings in 2016 and spent five seasons in Detroit.
- Born
Herning, Denmark
age 42- Detroit years
- 2016–2021
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Nielsen had already built a decade-long career with the New York Islanders, becoming a reliable two-way center, when he signed a six-year, $31.5 million free agent contract with the Red Wings on July 1, 2016, joining the club as it entered a rebuilding period after its long playoff streak ended. He remained a steady if unspectacular veteran presence through a difficult stretch for the franchise, and by the 2020–21 season his offensive production had fallen off considerably. The Red Wings bought out the final year of his contract in August 2021, ending his five-season Detroit tenure. As the first Danish-born player in NHL history, his time in Detroit was part of a career that also included induction into the IIHF Hall of Fame for his international play with Denmark.
Highlights
- First Danish citizen to play in the NHL
- Signed a six-year free agent contract with the Red Wings in 2016
- Played for Detroit from 2016 to 2021
- Inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame
- Played over 900 NHL games across his career
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Played here · 2017–2021
Little Caesars Arena
His home arena for most of his Red Wings tenure.