'Best week of my life': Why new Oiler Nick Bjugstad loves Edmonton and its gigantic mall so much
Hockey, snow and big shopping malls are some of his favourite things so Nick Bjugstad was gushing Tuesday when talking about his new home in the Alberta capital.
He's been an Oiler less than three weeks but he's already scored three goals and visited one of his favourite places on earth: West Edmonton Mall (WEM).
"I wanted to reminisce. I stared at the rink, told my girls that I played on that rink when I was 10. They didn't care. They wanted to go to the waterpark," he told reporters with a laugh.
"We took them to the waterpark and I felt like a kid again."
Bjugstad was acquired from the Arizona Coyotes on March 2.
That same day he told reporters how excited he was to be Alberta bound and brought up the trip to WEM when he was a kid calling it "the best week of my life."
After scoring his third goal in eight games Monday night during a 5-4 Edmonton victory against San Jose, he said the city, the team and the mall have all met his high expectations so far.
"I have some good friends from Edmonton. Very nice people, love their hockey. I'm from Minnesota so it's a similar climate, attitude, culture, as far as sports go," Bjugstad said.
"I think it's even more diehard than Minnesota, as far as hockey goes, I hate to admit. Hopefully Minnesotans don't hear that."
That Grade 3 trip to Edmonton was so Bjugstad could play in The Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament at WEM.
"I remember meeting, I think it was [former Oiler Mike] Comrie. Is it his dad that owns The Brick? He came in and that was the first NHL player I met. So it was, I keep harping on it, but it was the best week of my life. Happy to be here in Edmonton," Bjugstad said.
He never forgot the trip and the great time he had with his family and teammates.
"We didn't leave the hotel. I think we might have seen the outside for a few minutes that week. Parents were probably losing their minds for a bit, being in a hotel and mall for a week, but it was so fun as a kid," he recalled.
Bjugstad has also gone snow tubing with his family since arriving in Edmonton and, following stops in Florida and Arizona, said he was happy to be in a similar climate to his home state.
Oilers Head Coach Jay Woodcroft said Bjugstad "has really embraced the community of Sherwood Park," where he now lives.
"On the hockey side, he's found a way to contribute offensively. He plays a little bit on the powerplay, a little bit on the penalty kill, takes important faceoffs. He's scored some big goals for us. He's been a good addition," he told reporters.
Bjugstad, who was traded along with prospect Cam Dineen for defenceman Michael Kesselring and a third-round draft pick, is a free agent at the end of the season.
It's not yet clear if he'll stay in Edmonton or move onto his sixth NHL team, but he thanked his teammates and coaches for making him and fellow newcomer Mattias Ekholm feel welcome.
"As far as humans, there aren't many egos in the room. Everyone's pretty on the same page and enjoy being around everyone. So when you're walking into a room like that, it just makes it that much easier," Bjugstad said.
"I'm just trying to contribute in whatever way they want me to, penalty kill, five-on-five, whatever it is."
The Oilers (40-23-8) play Bjugstad's former team, the Coyotes (27-31-11), on Wednesday night at Rogers Place shortly after 8:30 p.m. MT.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.