Wild reps give young fan a boost from afar

Los Angeles – Chris Guertin, a Wild fan and Minneapolis resident who does business with the NHL, scouted out the lobby of the hotel that the league completely took over all All-Star Weekend.

As a hockey fan, Guertin was having a blast. As a father, it was clear how pained he was that his wife, Maria, son, Owen, and two daughters, Savannah and Sylvia, weren't with him.

The past three years, Guertin's family accompanied him to NHL All-Star Weekends. This year, they couldn't because on Tuesday, Owen, 9, will travel to Boston, where he'll undergo brain surgery at Boston Children's Hospital on Friday.

In November, Owen was diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain.

"It's been a very tough time for Owen," Guertin said.

So Guertin's task all weekend was to find things to cheer up Owen. A big Wild fan, especially of Devan Dubnyk, Guertin tracked down the Wild's All-Star goalie, who graciously filmed an iPhone pep talk for Owen, telling the youngster to "keep being strong." Before the trip, Wild captain Mikko Koivu donated a stick and assistant coach Darby Hendrickson has sent many Wild treasures.

"Every day we try to find one thing that takes his mind off this for one second," Guertin said. "He's such a good boy."

Guertin also arranged a picture with every NHL mascot that included a giant "Get Well Soon Owen!!!" card.

Guertin and his wife own Sport Resource Group, which provides the netting at all NHL rinks. The company also provides much of the equipment and portable rinks at the NHL FanFair.

"I only came to this because they've always come. I have business out here, but I'd rather be home," Guertin said. "My kid, when they come with me to this, they chase all the mascots, they know all the mascots inside and out. The mascots, they've been fantastic."

Guertin said the Wild has been exceptional throughout this ordeal.

"I ran into [Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher], and I told him, 'I know you have a good team in the standings, but you've got a good team of guys.' It just means so much," Guertin said. "We're just incredibly grateful to guys like Koivu, Dubnyk and Darby for their kind words and support. Every day waiting for surgery is difficult and these gestures have provided a welcome smile on Owen's face."

Still, the coach wasn't thrilled with his team's effort.

"It's totally understandable. The guys are here on the break having fun. You're not going to get the intensity that you have of a Stanley Cup Final," Boudreau said, before deadpanning, "The intensity of a preseason game would be good every now and again."

Defenseman Ryan Suter said: "Every time we got scored on, I'd look back and he'd be biting his lip. He doesn't bite his lip during the regular season."

Boudreau said: "I shut up in a hurry. I said, 'There's no use.' "

Dubnyk said the Staples Center goal horn is "going to haunt my dreams. … I hope [Johnny] Gaudreau's covered a little better on Wednesday (when the Wild plays in Calgary), or it might be the same outcome."

• During the lineup announcements, each All-Star greeted many of the NHL's 100 greatest players. Both Suter and Dubnyk shared a moment with Bobby Orr, Suter talking to him about the Wild because Orr is one of friend and teammate Eric Staal's agents, Dubnyk because Orr coached him in the top prospect game 12 years ago.

"They call you by your first name, and it kind of catches you off guard. You're humbled to know they even know who you are," Dubnyk said.

• Being in Hollywood, Boudreau was asked what actor should play him in a movie. The coach said, "John Candy." Reminded that Candy died years ago, Boudreau said: "I understand that. He's the first person that came to mind."

• Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper is expected to start Tuesday in Edmonton, Dubnyk Wednesday in Calgary.