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Minnesota Wild: A true feel good story

By Darrell Samuels

Jan 9, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) squirts his face with water prior to the game against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) squirts his face with water prior to the game against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Goalie Devan Dubnyk has found a home in Minnesota

There isn’t a feel good player of the year award in the National Hockey League. There are various awards for the best goaltenders, best coaches, rookies, scoring titles and things of that nature but there isn’t one for a feel good story. Might I play sports fantasy for just a moment and nominate the Minnesota Wild goaltender, Devan Dubnyk?

Two years ago, at the 43 game mark specifically, the Wild were in the midst  of a six game losing streak and near the bottom of the Central Division. They finished the second half of the season going an astounding 23-10-7 and eventually made the playoffs.

Last year, also at the 43 game mark, was the first time goaltender Dubnyk started in the Wild colors. After this game they went on an incredible 28-9-3 run the rest of the way and stunned the heavily favored St. Louis Blues in the playoffs. The second half of the campaign, a year ago, was even better than two years ago.

ESPN.com did an incredible article telling the story behind Dubnyk’s rejuvenated career. The 29 year old netminder’s career stretched over stints with the Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators and the Arizona Coyotes as primarily a backup goalie. He then landed in Minnesota with the Wild and became a number one starter. Last season was his best as he went an impressive 36-14-4 over 55 starts with the Coyotes and the Wild. This season, in 34 starts, he has a record of 18-12-4. After the 43 game mark this year, the Wild have a record 22-13-8 and are currently slotted in the 5th seed of the Western Conference.

There are teams in the National Hockey League that are struggling with their goaltending. At various points this year, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Philadelphia Flyers have shown signs of difficulties with their men between the pipes and would love to improve in that area before the February 29th trade deadline.

Dubnyk has proven to NHL players, both present and future, that they may experience hardship as professional athletes. However, they should persevere if they have that passion and their time may come for success.

The Minnesota Wild have found their gem in Dubnyk and, after a ‘wild’ career in the league, he can be assured that he is counted upon to hopefully win the organization their first Stanley Cup.

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