A night that I’ll never forget

December 17th had been on my mind for a long time, didn’t even need a calendar for that. I knew that the day will be an important one in my career, a day when I finally get a chance to say to Winnipeg and its marvellous people THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.

Four great years ended with a one bitter phone call and the next day I had already flew to the duck herd and to new challenges. During those four years there had been born an amazing relationship between me and the fans, they made me feel important and special. In the games I got so much extra energy from them, that at times it felt like we had one player more on the ice than the opponent. I never got the chance to say goodbye to the fans, nor did they get the chance to goodbye to me.

Last Saturday that was fixed, and how!! It’s hard to describe with words the atmosphere I experienced during the whole 20-hour long trip. The most enthusiastic fans waited outside of the hotel at 3am and the Ducks’ press conference gathered the ballroom full of media. It felt like everyone had a story to be told and a "thank you" to be said.

At the arena I felt during the warm-ups that it’s going to be a memorable night. I almost wished the game would never end. What made the night especially great was that my mother and my family were there to experience it with me. The boys had been stunned the whole game and wondering if this can be true. They got the front row view to see what is Canadian passion and respect for hockey. On Monday at the airport a waiter with a tray and Swiss roll had run from the restaurant to say goodbye to my family and stated: "The game last Saturday was THE BEST hockey event ever — I mean ever. I was crying from the national anthems till the final horn of the first period — Thank you for returning home".

In the after-game press conference the last question helped me to say to everyone the thing I couldn’t say on the ice. A local reporter asked if there’s still something I’d like to say to everyone. One word was enough: Thanks!*

Even though our season has been nightmarish, the trips to Helsinki at the beginning of the season and now this one to Winnipeg have made the season worth of playing. I’m forever grateful for these experiences!

It feels like 2 big circles have closed now. I got the chance to say goodbye to two so very special place in my career. Actually, only the goodbyes to Anaheim are left to do, and that’s getting closer, in due time…

One game against the Los Angeles Kings and then it’s Christmas! I’m eagerly waiting for it! Traditional Finnish Christmas: sauna, good food and drinks, and beloved people around…

Have a merry Christmas everyone!!

• or “Two words were enough: Thank you!”, if that works better