Brunette believes Wild are on right track

Andrew Brunette had two three-year stints with the Minnesota Wild, and he likely will remain a fan favorite long after he retires.But the Wild did not make Brunette a free-agent offer this summer, and the 37-year-old winger signed a one-year deal last week to join the 2010 Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. Now, hes trying to look forward rather than back."This is not the way I wanted my tenure in Minnesota to end, he said Wednesday. I wish we could have done better last year and made the playoffs. If that happened, I might not be leaving. But that's hockey. You never know what the future holds, but every player wants a chance to play for a team that is capable of winning the Stanley Cup. I believe with the core of young talent in Chicago that I have a great opportunity in front of me, and I aim to make the most of it."The Blackhawks are getting a tremendous warrior who should have a positive influence on young superstars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Brunette has 256 goals, 450 assists and 706 points in his 15-year career, and his 46 points (18 goals, 28 assists) in 82 games ranked third on the Wild last season. He has played in more games (970) than any NHL player since the start of the 1998-99 season and has missed just two games in the past eight years.Plus, he has already started training for his time in Chicago."It's changed so much since I first came into the NHL, he said. Really, now, it's become a year-round training schedule. The speed of Chicago is something I need to be ready for, and I am working hard to get my legs where they need to be. My game has never centered around speed, but there are things I am doing now to make sure I'm ready to roll when camp comes around."Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville was Brunette's coach with the Avalanche from 2005-08, and that relationship factored into Brunettes decision sign with Chicago."I really enjoyed playing for Coach Q in Colorado, and I am thrilled to be reunited with him in Chicago, he said. That should make the transition that much easier."Still, its hard for Brunette to leave the city he played in from 2001-04 and again from 2008-10. For most Wild fans, the top moment in franchise history remains Brunettes series-winning goal against Patrick Roy in a Game 7 overtime win at Colorado in the 2003 playoffs. "I have so many great memories from my time in Minnesota, and it is certainly a hard place to leave, but Im excited about the next chapter, he said. "It's tough, no doubt. I certainly have mixed emotions right now."While looking forward, Brunette admires the moves the Wild are making to build a contender."Let's just say it will be a completely different room, and sometimes change is a good thing." he said. I have known (new Wild coach) Mike Yeo for a long time. He married a girl from my hometown, and when he was still playing we used to train together. I think he will challenge the team and bring in some serious accountability. I hope they do well next year -- but just not when they play us."