Brock Faber will make its NHL debut on Monday as the Minnesota Wild visit Chicago to take on the Blackhawks (9 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN NOW).
The defenseman is fresh off his NCAA season, representing the University of Minnesota in the Frozen Four Finals, where his team lost 3-2 in overtime to Quinnipiac University.
“To find myself here is a dream come true,” said Faber, who is from Maple Grove, located regarding thirty kilometers from the capital of Minnesota. “Just putting the Wild jersey on in practice was really cool. »
The 20-year-old defenseman described the past 48 hours as a whirlwind, and the loss to Quinnipiac “one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through.” It’s going to hurt for a while, but now that I’m here, I’m ready to do anything to help this team. »
The Wild have offered Faber a three-year rookie contract. He will find himself on a pair at the blue line with Alex Goligoski.
“It’s just hockey,” head coach Dean Evason said of his decision to put Faber on the lineup upon his arrival. “He signed a contract and he is ready to play. So he’s going to play tonight.
“I might see from afar who he was in interviews and how he behaves, not only as a player, but as a leader of this team, and he is someone who is not only a good hockey player, but whose priority is the team. What more player can you ask for in this organization right now? »
Faber will have several loved ones in the stands at the United Center, including his parents, sisters, grandmother and girlfriend.
attackers Kirill Kaprizov et Mats Zuccarello as well as defenders Jared Spurgeon et Jonas Brodin did not accompany the team to Chicago.
“You might say that we are going to rest players, explained Evason. “You, the media, know the history of our group. The four players who will not be there are damaged. Could they have played? Yes. »
