In his first game with the Wild, Vinnie Hinostroza scores the game-winner.
ST. PAUL - NHL journeymen are hard to come by in this league and to Wild head coach John Hynes's point, it is more impressive to find a guy that still has the hunger to do it and the willingness to do it.
Vinnie Hinostroza was claimed off waivers from the Nashville Predators on Wednesday by the Wild. He played in his first with the Wild on Thursday and scored the game-winning goal in the Wild's 2-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
"I thought Vinnie came in and played well," Hynes said. "Coaching against him, you kind of know the player and then obviously when we talked to management and the scouts and stuff yesterday, so I thought tonight he played well. Good speed, he's tenacious on the puck, his abilities to make some plays and, you know, plays the game smart. He did a nice job."
It is tough to be an up and down kind of guy but Hinostroza is a perfect example why it is so valuable to come across one.
The 5-foot-10 forward had played in 13 NHL games with the Predators this year. He recorded two assists. He had 33 points in 26 AHL games with the Predators AHL team.
In 388 career NHL games, Hinostroza has played for seven NHL teams. He is on his third NHL team in the last two years and on Thursday he scored his first goal since Nov 4, 2023 when he was on the Pittsburgh Penguins.
"In and out of hotels and away from family, it's not an easy lifestyle," Marcus Foligno said on Hinostroza. "I give those guys a lot of credit. Mentally, that's the biggest thing, right? You don't know what tomorrow is gonna bring and it's a tough, tough place to be in. But a lot of these guys that we have that are in those roles are unbelievable people, good character people and that seem just to deal with it really well.
"I’ve played against Vinnie for a bit now and you've always felt like he should be a regular, whether it was his days in Arizona, he always bought that skill and speed, so you know if we can find some chemistry and maybe he needed just some balanced players to play with, then that's what we're gonna do. I'm excited to have him and if we can build off this game it’ll be great."
In his ten year career, Hinostroza has recorded 55 goals, 99 assists, and 154 points. In seven seasons in the AHL, Hinostroza has recorded 62 goals, 97 assists, and 159 points in 188 games.
The thing is, from 2018 to the 2022-23 season, the 183-pound forward was always in the NHL. That was 254 NHL games in that span where he recorded 40 goals, 65 assists, and 109 points.
Since 2023, Hinostroza has played 54 NHL games and 79 AHL games with four different organizations.
"Yeah, I think you never know you're going to, but obviously you want to make an impression and help a team," Hinostroza said on what it takes to be an up and down guy. "And as I'm getting older I've seen players go through it, and sometimes once they go through it a few times, it kind of trickles down their career and stuff. But I just try to keep a positive mindset through the last few years. I know how I can play, and I think my best hockey is still ahead of me, so that's always been my mindset."
Clearly Hinostroza made an impressive impact to Hynes. In the final minutes with the goalie pulled, Hynes had Hinostroza on the ice to help protect the lead.
"Yeah, that felt really good. I think anytime the coach looks at you and tells you to go out there, especially when you're up 2-1 against the Carolina Hurricanes, that says a lot," Hinostroza said. "So I'm happy to get those opportunities and try to take advantage of them."
This league can be harsh sometimes. Hinostroza was set to go back home to Chicago on Friday with the Predators but he was put on waivers by the team and claimed by Minnesota.
His oldest son Vinnie, is turning 4-years-old on Sunday so it was going to be special for him to go back home and see his family.
"Yeah, my son turns 4 on Sunday, so it's gonna be awesome to go home. I haven't seen them for a while, so we were actually gonna go yesterday to Chicago with Nashville. So my wife was telling my son I was gonna be coming, and he was pretty devastated. But a couple more days and I'll get to see them. So one more big game here and then get to enjoy that."
The Wild host the New York Islanders on Saturday before they enter the 4 Nations Break. Hinostroza's mind is set on Saturday to get a big win before break and also prove himself as an NHLer but it truly is incredible the dedication Hinostroza has given.
"I give those guys a ton of credit. The players, that’s something when you look at in the offseason, it’s the guys that have done that that still have the hunger to do it and the willingness to do it," Hynes said. "They’re away from their families. They’re, as you said, up and down there. They move. They’re on the fly that sometimes they travel and play in the game. They’re parachuted right into the team, and then they have to play a role that’s supportive of the team, and they have to play such a hard game that I think the guys that have been with us this year are the right players. I think they’ve done a really good job and that. And you do respect them. Sometimes the things behind the scenes with them, people don’t see.
"But the hunger to do it, the willingness to do it; I think the pride they have to play in the NHL, and they’re ultimate team guys, and the players that we have in the organization are willing to do that. And they’ve helped us."
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