Seattle, WA – Yanni Gourde returned to the lineup as the Seattle Kraken hosted the Minnesota Wild Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena. Fans, family in attendance, and teammates were ecstatic to have the powerhouse forward back on home ice after being on IR for nearly two months.
While the Kraken fell 4-3 in regulation, the fans' energy fueled Gourde, who earned an assist on Brandon Montour's goal in the third period. Gourde's aggressive pursuit of points frustrated several Wild players, who pulled on his jersey and egged him on to fight, but he played it cautious instead.
Gourde's showmanship was back on full display, but so was his gratitude, as the 5'9" Saint-Narcisse, QC, native smiled in between plays or when interacting with the crowd.
Gourde's return is only a couple of days before Friday's trade deadline, and many fans chatting in attendance wondered if it will be one of the last times they see him in the Kraken jersey. Gourde, one of three pending unrestricted free agents – along with Brandon Tanev and Josh Mahura – seemed humbled and very poignantly spoke to the media postgame, saying: “It was a lot of fun to be out there and play with the guys tonight,” Gourde said. “To enjoy playing hockey again. Being at the rink and the whole stuff of being an NHL player.”
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