Marko Dano was having dinner with his Rockford teammates Thursday when he got the call from Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman.
Surprise: You’ve been traded to Winnipeg.
Dano was the centerpiece of the package that brought former Jets captain Andrew Ladd back to Chicago just days before the trade deadline.
He had just enough time to finish his dinner before packing things up and catching a flight to Pittsburgh, where he’s expected to be in the lineup when the Jets take on the Penguins Saturday.
“I finished dinner, but my stomach was a little tight after,” the 21-year-old forward told reporters Friday. “I knew Chicago was trying to get Andrew Ladd but I wasn’t expecting to be a part of the trade.”
.@Marko_Dano is on the ice for practice in Pittsburgh! pic.twitter.com/uead0t5pqQ
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) February 26, 2016
Dano came to Chicago in the trade that sent Brandon Saad to Columbus last June and had two points in 13 NHL games this season. In 34 games with AHL Rockford, Dano had four goals and 19 assists.
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He was appreciative of his opportunity in Chicago, but said he looked forward to getting more ice time in Winnipeg.
“Chicago has a team with a lot of great players and a lot of old players,” Dano said. “Here it’s a lot of young guys so there’s opportunity for me.
“I wasn’t expecting it, but now I’m excited I can be here and with the big team.”
Watch the complete Marko Dano interview:
It’s a new opportunity… I’m looking forward and I’m excited to be part of the Winnipeg Jets. -Danohttps://t.co/1Qj5Gzx9Lk — Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) February 26, 2016
16 Andrew Ladd photos from his first stint with the Blackhawks
Stats via Hockey DB
