The Minnesota Wild introduced Matt Cooke to the media with an introductory press conference on Wednesday.
Cooke says walking through the Minnesota Wild’s locker room for the first time was “a little weird,” but he had a big smile on his face when he pulled his Wild sweater on for the first time.
Cooke will wear No. 24 — the same number the late Derek Boogaard wore during his career in Minnesota. Cooke asked Boogaard’s parents for permission to wear 24 — the only number he’s worn throughout his 15 year NHL career.
“If there was any hesitation or doubt from the family, there’s no way I would have put the number on,” Cooke told Wild.com.
The 34-year-old winger says he signed with the Wild over other teams because he wanted to win right away.
“I’m a guy that needs to win. I’m a team-first type of guy and I don’t think I would do so well in a situation that maybe isn’t primed to win and win often,” he told the Star Tribune. “I feel like this team is. I feel like this team is right on the cusp of doing some great things and hopefully I can come in and help that.”
The Star Tribune also has some tid-bits about Cooke to help fans get to know him. For example, his nickname is “Cookie Monster.” Click here for the rest of the bits.
Cooke joked with Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press by saying, “So you’re the one who didn’t like me when I was with Vancouver, right?”
