Dean Evason, the former head coach of the Minnesota Wild, made his highly anticipated return to the city as the new head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets in their season opener against the Wild.
The reunion was bittersweet for Evason, who didn't get the chance to leave on his own terms when he was let go by the Wild last season. Despite this, Evason chose to focus on the positives, and he was thrilled to be back in the Twin Cities, even if it was with a different team.
"I'm happy to be back in the building, no question," Evason said during a pre-game interview. "I have a lot of great memories here, and I made some unbelievable friends. I was fortunate to have some great players, and they became friends too."
Evason's departure from the Wild was met with surprise and disappointment from fans and players alike. After spending three seasons behind the bench, Evason had become a beloved figure in the organization, known for his intensity and passion.
Despite the circumstances surrounding his exit, Evason chose to take the high road and didn't express any hard feelings towards the Wild or their management. He instead focused on the excitement of starting a new chapter in his coaching career with the Blue Jackets.
The Blue Jackets, who finished near the bottom of the league standings last season, are looking to rebuild and are hoping Evason's experience and expertise can help them turn things around.
"Dean is a proven NHL coach with a wealth of experience," said Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen. "He's got a great track record of getting the most out of his players, and we're confident he can help us become a more competitive team."
The season opener against the Wild marked a new beginning for Evason, and he was eager to see what the future holds for himself and the Blue Jackets.
"I'm excited to see what we can do this year," Evason said. "We've got a great group of players, and I think we can surprise some people. We're going to work hard and see where it takes us."
While the result of the game may have been secondary to Evason's return, the Wild ultimately came out on top, winning 4-2 in front of a packed Xcel Energy Center.
Despite the loss, Evason's return to Minnesota was a memorable one, and he was grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and familiar faces.
"It was great to be back in this building," Evason said after the game. "The crowd was fantastic, and I loved every minute of it. Even though we didn't get the result we wanted, it was still an enjoyable experience."