Can you imagine the NHL coming back to Hartford? How about Winnipeg or Quebec City?

No way, right?

But NHL hockey is back in an area it recently left, namely Minnesota, a place it abandoned less than a decade ago when Norm Green took the Stars to the Lone Star State.

	Hendrickson enjoys putting on the Wild jersey in front of the home crowd.

"I didn't think I'd get a chance to play in Minnesota. I didn't think any player would get a chance to play in Minnesota," said Wild forward Jeff Nielsen. "To leave and come back is surprising."

You got that right.

Minnesota, according to many, is the heart of hockey in America -- that same silent majority also critiques Minnesota by saying it's more because of high school and college hockey. But, there's little doubt the expansion Wild have been an unqualified success. And there are two guys who have played Minnesota hockey at every level, and they think the NHL is every bit as much a part of the state's hockey fabric.

Nielsen is one of them, and teammate Darby Hendrickson is the other. They grew up in the state and starred at the University of Minnesota. Sunday's return of the Stars to the land of 10,000 Lakes might be every bit as exciting for them as it will be for the fans who still feel the sting of being left at the altar by the NHL in the early 1990s; Nielsen and Hendrickson were skating for the Gophers when the Stars left town. Hendrickson, in fact, lost his rinkside seat because his father was the team's strength coach.

"I think the North Stars were huge for all of Minnesota," Nielsen said. "It was different for Darby because he was right there with his dad. (And) when we were in college, they went to the finals, and we went to all the games. I had aspirations to play in the NHL at that time, and I wanted to maybe play for them."

You don't get any closer than that.

Becoming Wild

You never know for sure if you're going to be unprotected, but by the end of last year, I had a good idea I was going to be unprotected. Then, you don't even know if you're going to get picked up. Being from Minnesota, you hope. My agent was at the draft; he heard before it was announced, and he told me. I was up in Duluth fishing or getting ready to go fishing. I knew the draft was that day, but you have to live your life, can't be overtaken by it. So, on my way out fishing, my agent called me the news and that they had picked Nielsen. I've known Jeff since college and had been good friends, so that was exciting. -- Darby Hendrickson

But the Wild obtained both players in the expansion draft and gave them a chance to come home again -- as NHL players. So, it's not as if Hendrickson and Nielsen are bitter. They're just excited about the game -- and about having NHL jobs.

"This is probably the most built-up game for our team all year," Hendrickson admitted. "We don't have a lot of rivalries. Dallas isn't in our division, but it will have a rivalry atmosphere. It will be exciting."

Hey, a cliche becomes one because it's true. You know the one: You never know how good it is until it's gone ... or something like that. Well, whatever the line, it's clear that Minnesota fans realize support is the key to keeping the NHL in town.

"We knew ticket sales would be good, but it's gone beyond our expectations, especially for Darby and I. This place has been rocking every night," Nielsen said. "The first preseason game? I've never heard noise like that. It translated into energy for the team, and you want to do well for people who spent hard-earned money to watch you play."

Hendrickson probably shares Nielsen's take on the home crowd. But he simply likes playing NHL hockey in his backyard.

"It's awesome being home."

Brian A. Shactman is the NHL Editor for ESPN.com.