Yahoo Sports 'It was a little strange, for sure': Brady Skjei Returns to Raleigh for Pre-Season Game
Usually, you don't see a player return to his former arena until the regular season, but it was an atypical occasion last night as Brady Skjei returned to Raleigh Wednesday night for a pre-season game as a member of the Nashville Predators.
Skjei spent parts of five seasons with the Hurricanes, putting up 43 goals and 135 points in 302 games.
Doesn't look right pic.twitter.com/TjPmS3HLcK
— Ryan Henkel (@RyanHenkel_) October 2, 2024
The 30-year-old defenseman came to Carolina at the 2020 trade deadline from the New York Rangers and quickly made himself into a fan favorite alongside Brett Pesce.
Even before the game, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said that Skjei "will always be a Hurricane in my eyes" and that "he gave us everything he had while he was here."
In his first game back in Lenovo Center, Skjei helped lead the Predators to a 6-4 win, leading the team in ice time (19:02) along with a shot and two hits.
After the game, he spoke with Spectrum News' Evan Abramson on returning to Raleigh. Here's what he had to say:
Related: 'I loved my time in Carolina': Brady Skjei On Free Agency Exit
On being back: Honestly, it was a little strange, for sure. The first game with this team was in this building, so it actually felt a little normal. It's the only place I've known for the last four years. It was a lot of fun, obviously a big win for us, and it was nice to see the fans and nice to see a good cause tonight with all the money going to the relief fund for the hurricane. It was a good night.
On the crowd and the money raised for Hurricane Helene relief efforts: It was great. Obviously to see that many fans come out for a pre-season game and even in warmups it was pretty packed in there. I saw on the jumbotron that they raised a ton of money. Happy to be a part of it and the Caniacs did a great job with it.
On Rod Brind'Amour stating that he was 'A Hurricane for Life': That's amazing. I can't say enough good things about Roddy and the coach that he was and still is. Everyone in the organization was amazing to me and my family. We loved every second here. Obviously there's a business side to it at the end of the day, but I can't say enough good things about Roddy and everyone over there. They're a hard working group and definitely were a fun team to play for.
On seeing the fan support he still has: It's amazing to see them. Obviously there were a couple signs in warmups and to see Emma and flip her a puck was a ton of fun. To see that support and see a lot of familiar faces over the glass. It was a lot of fun to come back and I get to do it again this year. It was a fun night and looking forward to doing it again.
Skjei will have an official welcome back when the Predators play the Canes in the regular season on March 25, 2025.
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