BY Catherine Sabino
It’s no surprise that world-class athletes are wanted at A-list parties and watering holes around the globe. Tom Brady (and Gisele) turn up in Ibiza, David Beckham in St-Tropez, and Kobe Bryant on Mykonos. The Hamptons draw their fair share of big sports names—Carmelo Anthony and Michael Jordan, for example, are often spotted out and about, and tennis ace John McEnroe has long been a fixture on the East End.
But it is somewhat of a surprise to learn that Henrik Lundqvist—the Rangers’ star goalie, the linchpin of the team for the past decade, and one of New York’s biggest sports stars who can go on holiday anywhere and immediately become part of a resort’s elite scene—takes his summer in . . . Gothenburg, Sweden. Now, Gothenburg is a lovely place—one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood today, Alicia Vikander, hails from there—but it’s not exactly a hot spot drawing the likes of Kobe and Peyton, even for a long weekend. When we caught up with Lundqvist in late summer for our cover interview and photography session, it was in Gothenburg, where he had arrived in June, as he does every summer for the start of a three-month stay.
Why Lundqvist retreats to this under-the-radar coastal town is key to understanding the cool, charismatic hockey icon. It speaks to his deeply felt dedication to his sport, to the teams he has played for, and the strength of his personal loyalties. It also tells a lot about his own comfort level with fame: Lundqvist is a household name who doesn’t need to hang with other boldfacers to reinforce his own stardom or to insure his visibility in the 24/7 celebrity whirl.
To read more, please click here
