Mikko Koivu’s shirt went to the ceiling during emotional ceremonies – “Unreal feeling about all this”

It was Sunday afternoon in St. Paul, Minneapolis Mikko Koivun. The jersey of the longest-running captain in Wild’s club history was lifted onto the roof structures of the arena as a sign that no one in the club would ever wear the number nine again. Koivus, 39, became the first player to receive that honor in Minnesota.

And there is no need to look far for reasons for that tribute.

Eleven years as captain, most matches in club history, second most goals, most assists, most points and best performance stat entry. Known as an uncompromising leader, Koivu has been building an identity for the young club for years, and based on their values, the club still operates today. Birch became the most important single player in club history.

All Minnesota Wild players wore birch shirts and the number 9 in the warm-ups.

Birch was excited and tense during the shirt freezing ceremony, but at the same time grateful and taken.

– Somehow there is an unreal feeling about all this. This has been known for a long time and the announcement came earlier, so it has been a long wait. Now that this is really happening, the feeling is unreal. I am really excited, I just try to enjoy every single minute, Koivu told Sport.

Sunday’s festivities meant a lot to Koivu, not least because there were a lot of family, friends and old playmates. Birch also stressed the opportunity to thank fans for the fifteen-year journey. Birch unexpectedly ended his career in the middle of the season at Columbus in the 2020–2021 season.

– Of course, the biggest thing for myself is that there are a lot of friends who are important here. On the other hand, my end here was a little special because Korona cut off the season in the spring, after which I was no longer playing in the Minnesota shirt at the Edmonton Corona Bubble. I didn’t get to say goodbye to the fans in time, Koivu said.

– This is something that means an infinite amount to yourself. I wanted to get to thank the fans for the years together.

Emotions were already on the surface in Koivu and they also erupted on the occasion.

– Yes, all this brings the emotions to the surface and it has done it before, when everything has gone through in its own mind. This is a unique experience and there are a lot of great people there.

Wild decided to freeze Koivu’s game number really quickly, as it is only a year and a half since the end of the Turku club’s career. Although Koivu would certainly have had the fuel to play in the NHL for another year or two, the uncompromising nature of Turku made a cold decision in the autumn of 2020 in the middle of the season.

Koivu has not had to regret his decision to close.

– At the time of quitting, I realized I could still play, but I didn’t want to have to chase a game. I wanted to leave hockey so that everything stays in good spirits. On the emotional side, I no longer got to the level I wanted and the game no longer gave myself so much. I didn’t want to lie to myself and that’s why I made the decision.

– Of course, there is emotion and jostling in this kind of process, but it’s part of this. Yes, in the last few years, I’ve been wondering how great a life an athlete’s life is because it’s always talked about how fast time goes by. However, it is not fully understood until it is over. I still haven’t regretted my decision for a moment, Koivu assured.

After all, the eleven-year captain’s position makes Koivu proud. For Koivu, the captain’s lack of confidence was a matter of honor from the beginning, and he did not give the line to himself or to others as he piloted the young company towards new levels – and those levels reached the club, even though the greatest successes have so far revolved around Wild.

– The captain meant an infinite amount to me every single day. I appreciated that honor and wanted to act the way it required. I can tell you that especially in the last few years, every time I pulled on my jersey, I reminded myself how great it was to be a captain and on the other hand, what it takes. I experienced it as a great responsibility in a positive sense.

Birch really took on his responsibilities and when he talks about his beloved Minnesota WIld, he opens up his very own philosophy as a leader. This is the biggest legacy of the Turku center for Wild. The cornerstones of social culture are largely erected by Mikko Koivu.

– I have had three teams, TPS, Lions and Minnesota. I have been fortunate to have dealings with three such clubs. It has been important to me that the culture and operating environment of the club is more relevant than a single match or even a season. I have taken pride in doing things right, Birch times.

And Koivuka was not a blacksmith at birth, and doesn’t even try to claim that.

– Teps already had really professional activities in A-young people. Then it must be said that after a difficult first season Erkka Westerlundilla had a big impact on my career when he chose me for the Latvian World Cup. There, I was trusted against the NHL men by force majeure, underweight, and in all situations. I gained tremendous self-confidence and realized that I was doing well in the NHL as well.

– Jaques Lemaire Minnesota then had the coach who gave it the final touch, taught me to win and what the right kind of culture means. I certainly wouldn’t have been the player I was if Lemaire hadn’t been a coach. His significance for me was a turning point in my career, Koivu praised.

According to Koivu, the most important thing at the end of the day is that there is nothing left to do.

– When I made the decision to end my career, I had a feeling that I was able to measure out everything in the tank. That is the most important thing to me.

So what is Birch going to do next in his life?

Tuomo Ruudun the surprising transition from the youth national team coaching team to the Florida Panthers coaching team opened the door to coaching for Koivu, in addition to which he has worked and become familiar with the NHL organization’s operations in Minnesota without a real title.

Koivu says that he is interested in working in both the management and coaching of the NHL club.

It is probably only certain that whatever Mikko Koivu does next, he will do it in a hundred glasses and without compromising anything.

– With half lights, I don’t want to jump anywhere, I have to be sure that I want to commit to what I’m going to do next. I’m still thinking about it a little bit. Working in the NHL office is interesting, but so is coaching. What is certain is that I want to work on hockey. You have to be patient with this, but at the same time active.