Theodore Getting to Know Wild (Star Tribune article)

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/104746209.html?page=1&c=y

There is so much to do in a relatively short time to get goalie Jose Theodore ready to play.

By KENT YOUNGBLOOD, Star Tribune
Last update: October 12, 2010 - 7:08 AM

There is so much to do in a relatively short time.

For starters, Jose Theodore needs some helmet work. He can't keep wearing Washington Capitals colors with his Wild sweater. The veteran goalie has yet to meet with coaches to discuss how much he'll play. And he has a lot of teammates to meet.

Right now, he can claim only Andrew Brunette and Mikko Koivu as acquaintances. He played with Brunette in Colorado. Koivu? Theodore remembers meeting him when the young Finn was 11 and went to a Montreal practice with older brother Saku.

"He's [a lot] taller [now]," Theodore said.

Theodore, signed by the Wild to be the backup for Niklas Backstrom in the wake of Josh Harding's knee injury, took part in his first practice with the team on Monday. He had spent some time in Houston, practicing with the AHL's Aeros while the Wild was in Finland.

"I was really looking forward to this," Theodore said. "When I was in Houston, always on my mind was being with these guys. I was anxious to just get out there and be a part of the team."

Theodore never thought it would take so long to be a part of any team. He finished the second of two seasons in Washington by going 20-0-4 down the stretch of the regular season as his team headed into the playoffs. But when free agency began, no one called.

"I didn't see that one coming," he said. "Last year, for most of the regular season, look not only at the record -- because, obviously, we had a good team -- but look at the save percentage [.911 in 47 games]. ... I thought the phone would ring earlier, that's for sure. But it's all part of the game. Right now I know I'll be here for the home opener, and I'm really happy."

Theodore said he kept in shape by working out five days a week.

A two-time All-Star, Theodore said Xcel Energy Center is one of his favorite buildings, in large part because of the playoff success he had against the Wild in 2008 when he was with Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Northwest Division-champion Wild in six games in an opening-round series. Theodore also played in his second NHL All-Star Game in 2004 in St. Paul.


"It's just a fun building to play in," he said. "It's always nice to come back to a building where you have good memories of playing."