Detroit Red Wings
Son of Ex-Red Wings Prospect Liv Promising Swedish Goalie
Like father, like son – Herman Liv is the son former Grand Rapids Griffins goalie Stefan Liv
When Herman Liv walks the streets of his hometown of Jönköping, Sweden, he gets the same question.
Is he the son of Stefan Liv?
Like father. Like son.
It’s the same when he dons his goalie gear. Herman Liv is definitely the son of Stefan.
Once a top goaltending prospect in the Detroit Red Wings system. Stefan Liv was one of the players tragically killed when the plane carrying the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl KHL club crashed on September 7, 2011.
Herman was five at the time of his father’s death.
Pretty cool to see Herman Liv going in his fathers footsteps. Im sure Stefan would've been proud of him. pic.twitter.com/T0BZ1OcZpx
— Martin Hultberg (@D1SCO8) August 24, 2022
“I am happy when people say that we are the same,” Herman Liv, 15, told Magnus Nystrom of Swedish website Expressen.se. “And I’ve heard that many times.”
On his mask, Herman carries a portrait of his dad. “I want my father with me when I play,” Herman explained.
Stefan Liv was the 102nd overall selection by the Red Wings in the 2000 NHL entry draft. He spent the majority of the 2006-07 season with Detroit’s top farm club, the Grand Rapids Griffins. He also saw playing time that season with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL.
The Stefan Liv Memorial Trophy is presented to the MVP of the SHL playoffs.
Liv Just Like Dad
Stefan Liv won gold medals in the World Championship and Olympic Games playing for Sweden. His teammates over the years included such prominent Red Wings as Nicklas Lidstrom, Johan Franzen, Tomas Holmstrom, Mikael Samuelsson, Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall.
Herman never had a doubt that like his dad, he’d protect the net.
“I couldn’t live without playing hockey,” Herman said. “It’s the best I know.
“There is nothing better than winning with your team and being the goalkeeper and making the decisive saves that make us win the game.”
While admitting that there’s occasionally pain when memories of his father come to mind, Herman Liv is choosing not to wallow in sadness.
“Burying yourself won’t help anything,” Herman Liv explains. “I’d rather take the positive and let pride prevail. Dad is always with me.
“It is clear that it has affected me. But it is important to be able to move on and focus forward. I feel like anyone else.”
A Budding Prospect
The younger Liv is already gaining the watchful eye of scouts. He’s playing goal for Sweden’s U17 national team and has practised with Orebo’s senior squad.
“In appearance, they are incredibly similar,” said Johan Rosen, Sweden’s U17 coach. “You really see Stefan in Herman.”
Herman Liv A Red Wings Fan
Even though his dad never made it to the big club in the NHL, Herman Liv still is holding fondness in his heart for the Red Wings. They are his favorite NHL team.
Oct. 7, 2006 📅
Backed by Stefan Liv’s 33 saves in his North American debut and a perfect 12-for-12 performance by their penalty killing unit, the Griffins claim a 3-1 win at Houston. pic.twitter.com/ddaiAjY54M
— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) October 7, 2020
“Dad was drafted by Detroit and we have friends who live there that we visited and I have seen games there,” Herman said.
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