TELLS US WHAT IT’S LIKE...
…to have a breakout season at 32
This past season was awesome. I scored 32 goals, beating my previous career-high by 12 (and that was in my rookie year with Ottawa). Obviously I was trying to do it a lot earlier, but it didn’t happen. It was worth the wait.
I played with some unbelievable players and got some great opportunities. My linemates were responsible for everything. I went from playing in Dallas with great players such as Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, to playing in Anaheim with great players such as Ryan Getzlaf and Rickard Rakell. I was dealt from the Stars one week before the deadline. You never know how you’re going to fit when you get traded, so I’m very happy that it worked out with the Ducks and, thanks to a new contract, I get to go back there for the next three years.
I guess I’ve learned to play different roles throughout my career. There’s so much more that goes into the game than just scoring goals. Those roles are just as important and I feel like I’ve played in a lot of those roles. But it’s nice to score goals, too.