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Wild defenseman Alex Goligoski preps for Game 1,000: ‘I feel very lucky’

dane mizutani, pioneer press
·3 min read

Wild defenseman Alex Goligoski played the 500th NHL game of his career on Nov 19, 2015. He played for the Dallas Stars at the time and was in the lineup for a win over the Washington Capitals.

“When I got 500 I was like, ‘I can’t believe people play 1,000,’ ” Goligoski said in the hours leading up to Thursday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks at Xcel Energy Center. “Now here we are.”

Yes, for Goligoski, 37, a 15-year NHL veteran, the matchup between the Wild and the Canucks will mark the 1,000th game of his career. Along the way, he’s played for Pittsburgh, Dallas, Arizona and now the Wild. It’s fitting that the former University of Minnesota star from Grand Rapids, Minn., hits the milestone with the home-state team. He joined the Wild last season.

“I was talking to someone about that the other day,” he said. “I don’t know how many people are able to do that with the hometown team. It’s really cool how everything has happened. Just feel very fortunate.”

Because it’s a home game, Goligoski will have a good amount of family and friends in attendance. He said he is expecting more than 20 family members and friends in the crowd, though he fortunately didn’t have to pay for the tickets. His agent Ben Hankinson bought a suite for the occasion.

“I’ll give him a shoutout,” Goligoski said while setting himself up for the punchline. “I’ve paid him enough money over the years.”

Maybe the coolest thing for Goligoski is getting to share the moment with his kids. The family shared some donuts at the house in celebration before Goligoski left for Thursday’s morning skate. He said his 6-year-old son Roman is starting to understand what’s going on. What about his 4-year-old daughter Mila?

“Not so much,” Goligoski said with a laugh. “She just liked the donuts.”

This has been a long time coming for Goligoski. He made his NHL debut with the Penguins midway through the 2007-08 season after wrapping up his career at the University of Minnesota. He won a Stanley Cup with the organization a couple of years later.

In the decade that’s followed, Goligoski has remained focused on proving himself day in and day out. It’s a big reason he’s experienced so much longevity. He’s never been satisfied.

“I think I’ve always kind of had that feeling a little bit, which I think is good,” Goligoski said. “It keeps me motivated. I don’t know. I don’t think I’ve ever really felt comfortable or anything. I’ll just try to keep improving and keep working hard and see how long we can go here.”

Who’s to say how much longer Goligoski plays? The answer to that question will come in time. In the meantime, Goligoski plans to celebrate a little bit before Thursday’s game, then lock back in alongside young defenseman Calen Addison when the puck is dropped.

Never mind the 15-year age gap between them.

“It’s cool,” Goligoski said of his milestone. “Not a lot of people get to do it. I feel very lucky.”

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