Mikko Koivo raised his arms in mock celebration after scoring a goal during a small-game, three-on-three drill Monday during a lengthy practice at Amsoil Arena in Duluth. Howie Hanson / For StarTribune.com

Wild assistant Darby Hendrickson said Monday the team is impressed by rookie head coach Mike Yeo's on- and off-ice approach in the preseason.

"He's extremely prepared, detailed, and an excellent communicator," Hendrickson said of the former Houston Aeros head coach, who, at age 37, steps up as the youngest head coach in the National Hockey League.

Meantime, Hendrickson, a former Wild player and second-year assistant, said the team is making the most of it's three-day, extended preseason retreat in Duluth. The Wild open Saturday against Columbus at Xcel.

"Though everyone is excited for Saturday's opener, the guys are slowly buying into each other during the team-builder, which is important if we're to be successful," said Hendrickson, who owns a summer home at Island Lake located about 20 minutes from Downtown Duluth. "The new guys want to be here, and they're hungry to do well."

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Dany Heatley, acquired July 5 from San Jose in a straight-up deal for Martin Havlat, said the Wild are eager to begin the season.

"We're a good, young, quick team," said Heatley, who has collected 325 goals in his eight years in the National Hockey League -- including two 50-goal seasons for the Senators -- but just 39 and 26 goals the past two seasons for San Jose. "We've got some quick guys up front. My focus is to help the Wild make the playoffs."

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Houston Aeros GM Jim Mill, right, was summoned to tend goal in Monday's workout.

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Yeo is impressed by Amsoil Arena, the newest of three ice sheets and 6,600-seat barn of the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs men's and women's D1 hockey teams at Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.

"It's a beautiful rink, and it's easy to see why Duluth has a successful (D1 hockey) program," said Yeo. "Everyone is so impressed by the building, with the people running it, and the people here have been so accommodating."

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Scheduled to skate with the Wild at the end of Tuesday's final workout at Amsoil Arena is 90-year-old Mark Sertich, who plays competitive hockey three days a week in a no-check league at Duluth Heritage Sports Center. Click here for a video of Sertich scoring a goal on his 90th birthday about two weeks ago.

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