ABOUT THIS STORY
Reporter Rachel Blount and photographer Jerry Holt spent five months following Nick Mattson, spending time with him at home in Chanhassen, in Ann Arbor, Mich., and on the road in Russia. They interviewed his friends, his parents, his coaches, his host family and others.
Quotes that are in italics are recollected by sources. Quotes that are within quotation marks were spoken in the presence of a reporter.
For videos, slide shows and other multimedia, go to www.startribune.com/puckdreams.
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Local
High Schools
Offense played with care leads to top ranking in boys lacrosse
"High-percentage shots are the North Star of our offense," coach Sam Kepner said of his undefeated Prior Lake team.
High Schools
Edina seeks to keep badminton title it swiped from St. Paul power
The Hornets ended St. Paul Johnson's seven-year streak last season and carry the top ranking into state this year.
Local
Brooks: No funding, no lab, no problem for dogged University of Minnesota student inventors
Undergrads spent six years building a new medical device from scratch.
Local
How to hop on the Timberwolves bandwagon
A guide for newbies as the team prepares to take on the Denver Nuggets at Target Center.
Politics
Minnesota Senate passes new penalties for gun straw buyers, bans binary triggers
Hermantown DFL Sen. Grant Hauschild voted for it while saying he won't support a safe-storage bill.