Mike Modano: ‘It’s like you’re starting over’

DETROIT—Mike Modano spent Wednesday evening out on his deck, enjoying a crisp fall Michigan night after arriving from Dallas. It was quite a contrast, because this is the time of year the weather in Texas doesn’t exactly get you excited for hockey.
“It’s been just brutal in Dallas, 100-something (degrees),” he said.
On Thursday morning it got even nfl jersey
better. It was his first informal practice with the Red Wings, and he got his first taste of taking outlet passes from Nicklas Listrom and finding Pavel Datsyuk(notes) on a two-on-one.
It was an easy fit for the 40-year-old center, who signed a one-year contract to potentially finish his career with the Red Wings.
“It’s nice to see him in red and white,” Henrik Zetterberg(notes) told Sporting News. “He was flying out there. It’s great to have him as part of the team.”
The coaching staff was watching from Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
the Joe Louis Arena stands as Modano took part in his first practice, but Mike Babcock had to like what was developing on the ice in front of him. The Red Wings were hurt by injuries and a lack of depth last season, and the addition of Modano helps address that.
He’s coming off a season in which his numbers dropped to 14 goals and 16 assists in 59 games with the Stars. So Modano looked for an infusion of energy by joining a new team late in his career.
He got it.
“It’s a big change. It’s like you’re starting over. Dallas Cowboys jersey
You get a little enthusiasm, excitement getting out there,” Modano said. “This is probably what I thought it would be, pretty easy. (It’s) a talented group of guys—carefree, puck-moving guys who enjoy the game and have fun. It’s all I can ask for.”