It was a bit strange, Alex Goligoski admitted, walking into the visitors locker room just down the hall from the pillared entrance to the Arizona Coyotes' room at Gila River Arena on Wednesday.
But Goligoski has been a visitor to the arena before, with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Dallas Stars. Still, five seasons with the Coyotes, which ended when he signed in free agency with the Minnesota Wild this past offseason, made coming back something to reflect on.
The veteran defenseman had the chance to play in his home state, be close to family and compete for the playoffs.