A beloved former Red Wing will be the keynote speaker at the 2019 WESPY Awards.
The Windsor Essex Sports persons of the Year Awards take place Monday April 15.
The special guest will be former Team Captain Nicklas Lidstrom.
He spoke to Thursday's news conference for the announcement via Skype.
Lidstrom says awards like these are valuable for the young athletes.
"It's very important to get the recognition for something you've accomplished. Whether as a player or as a coach or being involved in sports. So I'm sure the people that are nominated are very excited to get the opportunity to get the recognition"
Lidstrom recounts his top moment as a Red Wing.
"Well the first time we won it back in '97 was very special. The team hadn't won it in the past 40 years and I remember during the parade people would come up and cry and thank us for bringing the Stanley Cup back to the city. So that was very special"
Lidstrom has some advice for young athletes.
"First of all be proud of what you're doing and take a lot of pride in it. And it's going to take a lot of hard work to become a professional athlete or have success in sports, so take care of yourself as being an athlete"
Lidstrom adds you need to enjoy what you're doing to be truly successful in sports.
In addition to his Stanley Cup wins with the Red Wings he recalls the Olympic Gold for Sweden as a career highlight.