ST. PAUL, Minn. — Marco Rossi said he has high hopes his name will be on the Minnesota Wild opening-night roster this season.
The forward, who was the No. 9 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, played the majority of the 2021-22 season with Iowa in the American Hockey League. Rossi played two games with the Wild and did not have a point.
It was his first season in North America.
“I feel ready,” Rossi said. “Last season, that was really good for me. I could play a lot of minutes in Iowa. I played in every situation and I played a lot, so I think that was the best thing for me to get better as a player. So , I feel ready now.”
The departure of forwards Kevin Fialawho was traded to the Los Angeles Kings on June 30, and Nick Bjugstad and Nicolas Deslaurierswho were free agents, creates an opportunity this season for the 20-year-old center.
“Rossi’s got to make it,” Wild general manager Bill Guerin said. “It’s competitive, so we want those guys to push for jobs though. If they can come in and push and make the team and help us win, then great.”
Rossi led Iowa in assists (35) and tied for first in points (53) in 63 games last season. It was a nice response after he missed most of the 2019-20 season because of COVID-19 and then being diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, after reporting to Wild training camp in early January. He played one game with Zurich SC of the National League and four games for Austria at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, all before the end of December, before resuming training in June 2021.
Last season, Rossi put the health scare behind him and worked on honing his game in the AHL.
Brad Bombardir, the Wild director of player development, noted that for players, especially ones as skilled as Rossi, staying patient can be a challenge. He said he’s glad it was one Rossi accepted.
“There’s always a goal to play in the National Hockey League as fast as possible,” Bombardir said. “But it’s never, ever hurt any player to play in the American Hockey League. I think over-ripe is a heck of a lot better than under-ripe.
“He’s got to come to training camp and play his game and perform well. If he does, and he takes a spot, then that’s great. If he doesn’t, then he starts in the American Hockey League, and at some point he gets back up here. He will be here eventually.”
Rossi said he knows nothing will be handed to him this season.
“Of course training camp I know you have to earn that spot,” Rossi said. “Nobody gives it to you. So, you just gotta be prepared for that then.
“Just be myself. That’s it.”
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