Minnesota Wild fans are going crazy as the pre-season kick off has just begun. NHL players have begun preparing through professional hockey camps and other forms of training. Minnesota Wild player, Ryan Suter, is especially excited for the season to start: “[I’m] very excited and looking forward to the new season, to play for our new coaches and with our new players,” said Suter, who has been playing for the Wild since he signed as a free agent in the summer of 2012. When asked about what he was most excited for regarding the upcoming season, Suter replied: “Playing games. It’s always exciting when you get to play games in the NHL. I’m in the best shape of my career and I’m really looking forward to playing this season.”

Though Suter seems to always be on the ice, he was able to get away from the endless training by taking time off to connect with friends and family during the offseason. “[I] spent a lot of time with my family. I have three kids and I really enjoy spending the summers with them,” Suter explained. Yet, he still managed to make sure to train throughout his time off. “Every summer I return to Madison, Wisconsin, where I work out at my home with another hockey player, and skate at a rink in Middleton.”

In addition, the Wild has also welcomed a new head coach, Bruce Boudreau. “I really like Bruce, he seems like a great guy who cares about his players. I’m looking forward to playing hard for him,” Suter added when asked about his opinion on the new coach. “I think Bruce is going to bring a fresh voice and a lot of experience. He’s had a lot of success coaching in the NHL and I look forward to working with him and his staff.” Boudreau’s first act as head coach was to establish an effective pre-season training tool for players, the “World Cup” hockey camp. “Suter has been working hard with his teammates at the camp for the past week, making clear Boudreau’s positive effect on the players. Suter commented, “[Boudreau is] very passionate and you can tell that he loves the game. He’s more offensive minded for sure, letting us guys play and create off of each other.” Players are eager to see what Boudreau plans next for the team, and fans are hoping to see positive results from this year’s new coach.

But, in order to give fans the outcome they want, ultimately the Wild’s first Stanley Cup, players will have to work hard to improve their game from last years disappointing results. “I think the biggest thing we need to do this season is be consistent from the first game to the last game. We can’t afford to go into stretches where we don’t play well. The last couple years when playoffs would arrive, the team would be pretty exhausted from having to get into playoff position.”

Judging by the progression of the pre-season, we can expect a successful year from the Wild. Thanks to Boudreau and players like Suter, the Wild is one step closer to their first Stanley Cup, and, overall, a successful next few years of playing.