But mostly, the thing we all agree on is how badly we want to make Minnesota proud.
This is my home. I’ve been part of this club for 16 years, and I’ve cherished every second. I bought my first home here, my wife and I love it here, and both our kids were born here. It’s a very special place to me.
Every time I run into a fan at the grocery store, or at the park, they’re always so kind. That’s the part that gets me. Even when we were struggling, people would come up to me and thank me. They’d tell me how much the team meant to them and that they knew we were going to turn it around. It’s unlike anywhere I’ve ever lived. I want to repay that faith.
There’s a lot of hockey to be played this year, we know that. But we’re on a mission.
Our mission began in all different parts of the world for the guys in our locker room. For me, it started in Turku, Finland.
I’ve done a lot of growing up along the way, and it’s Minnesota that raised me.