It feels so good to finally get here. I've never been here, so I'm very intrigued to witness how the fans embrace the sport in this country.
Of course, it took a while to get here.
We spent much of the past week in New York, playing the New York Rangers, New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils. And while winning the Stanley Cup was the ultimate team bonding exercise, being in NYC was good for that too. And certainly, so will being here in Finland for a week.
Once we got here, that is.
We were already in our seats, well settled in on the plane that was going to take us from JFK Airport to Helsinki, when an announcement came across that we would have to deplane and get on another one because of a mechanical issue.
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It was a tough start. I think all the guys were getting ready to shut it down on the plane, and then we find out we had to switch planes. So you're holding off now, so it got a little bit tough but we made it. It was good.
It's a big week for Mikko Rantanen and Artturi Lehkonen, who are returning to their native country. I think there is a lot of pressure on those guys right now to make this the best trip it can be. And I know they'll do it.
I think Finland will speak for itself, but I think all the guys are excited. First off, for the trip and getting to play over here and the experience. Secondly, we're also really excited for those guys. We know how much this means to them and their families getting to see them play NHL games in their home country. That's a special thing a lot of guys from Europe don't get to do.
In the end, it's a special moment for them. And we're excited for them.
It's been a whirlwind for me since I got traded to the Avs from the Anaheim Ducks in March, and this is just the latest installment. It's been a good whirlwind for me and my family with everything that's happened, topped off by winning the Cup, so it's been great. Nothing to complain about. The shortened summer was the best thing that could have happened because it meant we won the Cup. The trade worked out great, just great moments we'll remember for the rest of our lives. We want to carry over the good times of the summer into the season and this experience is yet another way to do it. This is just another opportunity to enjoy.
I've never experienced one of these Global Series trips, so I can't tell you what it will be like firsthand. But I know some of the guys who went to play games like these in Sweden a couple of years ago and said it was one of the best trips they ever had, and they still look back on it. So I'm expecting the same here.
This is another opportunity for us to come together. Most of the guys aren't from here, right? So they're not as comfortable here and might feel a little more vulnerable. As a result, you bond as a team a bit more to explore the city and stay together. Hopefully you can grow closer as a team from that.
I just know I'm looking forward to learning about the country and its passion for hockey. It's going to be fun.
