Declan Chisholm is set to play in his third career game with the Wild and his first game against his former team, the Winnipeg Jets.
WINNIPEG - Just two games ago Declan Chisholm scored his first career goal in what was his first game with the Minnesota Wild after they claimed him off waivers towards the end of January.
"Yeah, that was just the happiest moment I've ever had in hockey I feel like," Chisholm said. "A lot of emotions and it sucks we didn't get the win and all that but yeah, just such a cool moment and something you'll remember for the rest of your life."
His first career goal came on the power play against the Buffalo Sabres at home to give the Wild a 2-1 lead. But Buffalo eventually came all the way back and beat the Wild in overtime. Yesterday Chisholm played in his second game with his new team and is now set to play against his former team for the first time.
"It's pretty weird. I used to live in 225, which is across the street from the Delta kinda- the glass building," Chisholm said on being on the other side now. "I remember looking out of my window looking at the Delta. Now it's the opposite. It's just weird. It's imposter syndrome almost but yeah it's a weird feeling."
Chisholm, 24, was a former fifth-round pick by the Jets in 2018 and played in 146 career AHL games in four seasons for the Jets affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. He notched 16 goals and 91 total points for the Moose.
He played in six AHL games this season for the Moose and only two NHL games for the Jets before being placed on Waivers. The 6-foot-1 defender had to wait for 24 hours to find out where he was heading which was tough for him.
"Stressful. I was in Miami so I was just kind of sitting on the beach. I remember me and my fiancée sat down at lunch, it was like the hour before. I think it was one o'clock or something and we were just counting down the minutes," Chisholm said on the process. "It was the longest hour ever. And my mom and dad were calling me like every 20 minutes like, 'Did you hear anything? Did you hear anything?' Finally, I think at 2:01 Larry [Jets AGM] called me. So that's how I found out but yeah, it was a stressful time."
Finally, Chisholm was claimed by the Wild where he has been since. Tonight will be his first game against his former team. A team in which the Wild have built up a rivalry with over the years.
Chisholm got to see the rivalry build up over the years but never got to play in any of the games so he is excited to finally be a part of it, even if it means being on the other side of it, with his new team.
"It's nice to just be in the rivalry now, I'm just excited to play," Chisholm said. "They have a really good team over there and you know, I'm excited to prove myself and help the Wild win."
Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' Minnesota Wild page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.