1000 game NHL veteran more than thrilled to join the Detroit Red Wings
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The 1000-game NHL veteran James van Riemsdyk opened up about joining the Detroit Red Wings in a new interview after finally joining training camp.
James van Riemsdyk had a great reason for not attending the start of training camp.
For an experienced leader like van Riemsdyk, it's a great opportunity to play with Detroit. He didn't shy away from showing his excitement in a new interview after finally taking part in his first practice with the team.
James van Riemsdyk Is Thrilled To Join The Red Wings
The Red Wings could have a breakout season this year. After adding a great veteran goalie in John Gibson, and many young players ready to make the lineup in Emmitt Finnie and Michael Brandsegg-Nygaard, Todd McLellan's team appears poised to have a much better season than last year, when they missed the playoffs by only five points.
van Riemsdyk took part in his first practice with the Wings earlier this week and answered some questions about a few interesting topics, such as how he feels about the state of the team and how he appreciates the team's management for letting him skip the start of camp.
Here's what he said about his feelings as he joins a promising team like the Wings:
"You could definitely feel that excitement in the air, and guys seem like they're really raring to go. Looking at the team, it's going to be exciting.
Lots of things to like about it, and now it's up to us to go out there and put it all together and see what we can do.
Even though this is year 17 for me, you still get those kind of first-day sort of jitters, especially when you've missed a little bit of time. Over the years you learn how you can keep yourself ready when it's time to get back out there, so again."
Lots of things to like about it, and now it's up to us to go out there and put it all together and see what we can do.
Even though this is year 17 for me, you still get those kind of first-day sort of jitters, especially when you've missed a little bit of time. Over the years you learn how you can keep yourself ready when it's time to get back out there, so again."
He expressed his gratitude to Steve Yzerman and Todd McLellan for their understanding of him being away for most of the camp:
"First and foremost, I just really wanted to express my appreciation and gratefulness to the Red Wings organization, particularly Steve (Yzerman) and Todd (McLellan).
You come to a new team and you don't really know everyone that well, but just how supportive they were the last few weeks - last few months actually - dealing with some stuff, with the birth of our twins and just some stuff related to that with the pregnancy for my wife, just how great they were with me."
You come to a new team and you don't really know everyone that well, but just how supportive they were the last few weeks - last few months actually - dealing with some stuff, with the birth of our twins and just some stuff related to that with the pregnancy for my wife, just how great they were with me."
Once he gets back to full speed, he will be a great asset to the team. It'll be interesting to see what kind of production he can bring, especially if he ends up entrusted with a role on the top line.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
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