Mikael Granlund got two things from future first-ballot Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne at the Olympics — a personally autographed puck and memories to last a lifetime.
The Wild center was lucky enough to play on the legendary Finn's line at the Olympics. Not only was Selanne named tournament MVP in his sixth and what he claims will be his last Olympics, but Granlund was also named to the all-tournament team after finishing third in Olympic scoring.
"It was a big deal," a smiling Granlund said about playing alongside his biggest role model and one of his greatest supporters. "Teemu was the idol for me and for a lot of Finnish hockey players when I was growing up. So it was a dream come true to have a chance to play with him and to see how unbelievable good he can still play.
"He's 43 years old, and he can still play at that level. It was an honor to play with him."
Selanne, the Anaheim Ducks forward who has scored 682 NHL goals, says this will be his final NHL season. He scored two goals in Finland's 5-0 bronze-medal victory over the United States. Granlund assisted on both.
"He's Teemu," Granlund said of the all-time leading scorer in Olympic men's hockey history (43 points). "If that was his last game with a Finnish jersey, it was a great one."
Granlund returns from the Olympics with soaring confidence. He has 18 points in 24 games since returning from a concussion Dec. 22 and had a goal and assist during the Wild's two-game sweep at Edmonton and Vancouver on Thursday and Friday.
"I just need to keep going and try to get even better," Granlund said.