After six full seasons in the AHL, a journeyman forward appears to be on the verge of fulfilling a dream.
Pat Cannone will likely make his NHL debut for the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night against the Colorado Avalanche after being recalled Monday from the club's AHL affiliate in Iowa.
"It's a great opportunity and I'm really looking forward to it," the 30-year-old said Monday. "Lot of emotions running high."
Wild forward Erik Haula is dealing with a nagging foot injury, and Zac Dalpe - his ideal replacement - is playing for Iowa on Monday in his first game since having knee surgery in November.
The Wild don't want Dalpe going back to back yet, meaning Cannone should get the opportunity to play for Minnesota on Tuesday, head coach Bruce Boudreau told Michael Russo of the Star Tribune.
He'd become the second-oldest Wild player to make his NHL debut behind Lubomir Sekeras, who was 31 when he first played for Minnesota in 2000, the Elias Sports Bureau confirmed to Russo.
The Bayport, N.Y., product's wife, Natalie, will be in the building on Tuesday, and his parents are attempting to make the trip.
"You play for (this), you work hard for (this)," Cannone said Monday. "It was a long time coming and I'm looking forward to the opportunity."
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