Frédérick Gaudreau chose the Minnesota Wild certainly with his heart, but also with his head. In St. Paul, he returned to the hometown of his girlfriend, Kjersten, but he also reconnected with Dean Evason, his first professional coach with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American League.
Gaudreau is experiencing his third stop in the NHL following a long stint in Nashville and a shorter one in Pittsburgh.
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“I found it difficult to leave Pittsburgh, recalled Gaudreau in a telephone interview with Journal. I absolutely loved everything regarding the Penguins. I loved the philosophy of the organization, my teammates, the fans and the city. The Penguins made me feel welcome. »
“But I had thought regarding my decision well. I found a lot of positive things with the Wild. I also received a nice two-year contract. »
When the free agent market opened last summer on July 28, Gaudreau signed a two-year, $2.4 million (1.2 million average) contract with the Wild.
Several factors
On the eve of the Canadian’s move to Minnesota, the 28-year-old center described his marriage of convenience with the Wild.
“I was looking forward to getting a good role, but I also had a good feeling regarding the team. They are a young, well-balanced and talented team. There is a great energy within the group. I believe this team might potentially become a Stanley Cup contender in the not too distant future. »
“There were several things that attracted me to the Wild,” he continued. There was also a personal aspect. My girlfriend is from Minnesota. So I already knew the area for having spent time there in the summer or at Christmas. I have always felt good in Minnesota. »
Kjersten, Gaudreau’s girlfriend, also speaks French. Originally from Minnesota, she studied French immersion in her youth and crossed paths with hockey when she attended Marquette University in Milwaukee.
A trusted trainer
In Minnesota, Gaudreau got what he wanted most in hockey, a big role. Year-to-date, he’s been playing nearly 17 minutes per game (16:42), he’s a key member on the penalty kill and he’s usually found himself at the center of one of the team’s top three lines.
After 31 games, he has 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists). “I also knew I might establish myself as a regular player with the Wild,” he said. It was attractive to me. It’s been happening since the start of the season. The Wild trust me and there is a DNA that I like in this team. »
The DNA of this team is also that which he had discovered under the guidance of Evason in Milwaukee. He played under him from 2014-2015 to 2017-2018.
“Dean is probably the biggest reason for my presence with the Wild,” replied the center from Bromont. I have always had a good relationship with him and I have always liked his way of leading a team. He is a coach who is fair and who gives playing time according to merit. He also advocates values that resemble me. A theme within the team is to always act like a good teammate. He has a mentality that success comes from doing things the right way and being a good person and a good teammate. »
In Minnesota, there are also other Predators alumni in Ryan Hartman and Kevin Fiala.
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