Jamie McGinn was traded to the Colorado Avalanche for Daniel Winnik and T.J. Galiardi shortly before the NHL trade deadline. Comcast SportsNet California Sharks analyst Drew Remenda spoke exclusively with McGinn on San Jose's team plane in the aftermath of the deal.
DREW REMENDA: Jamie McGinn, how do you accept news like this? ... on the team plane ... what are your first thoughts?
JAMIE MCGINN: Well, you know, it's a tough one to swallow right away. It's kind of a a difficult situation to be told -- having plane troubles and then doing it in the air. I just feel for my family right now, not being able to talk to them and stuff like that.
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But you look at the big picture and it's going to be a good opportunity for me in Colorado, and we're making a playoff push. I look for some good ice time and just putting the puck into the net.
REMENDA: You're having a career year, you're growing into your own as a hockey player ... the strides that you've made with the San Jose Sharks, besides your own hard work, who else can you look at and say 'they were a big help to me'?
MCGINN: When I was struggling a lot I talked a lot with (assistant coach) Jay Woodcroft. He's been great with me, helping me through tough times. Family members are huge, like my parents. You know, I wanted to be a San Jose Shark for life and I had my heart and soul into this team but now I'm excited for a new opportunity. It's a new window of opportunity, and maybe it was fate.
My brother's favorite team growing up was the Colorado Avalanche. He had the Colorado Avalanche bedroom and everything. So I'm just going to try and look at the positives like I always have this year -- going through last year and having a tough year and coming back and forgetting about it and looking at the positives and good things will happen.
San Jose Sharks
REMENDA: You're a good hockey player and a great kid, best of luck to you. And I know when you're playing the Sharks you'll have a little extra jump in your step.
MCGINN: Yeah, I think so. It's going to be, I'm sure, an emotional game for me. I hope the fans welcome me in the right way because I've always thought of San Jose as home. I appreciate what everyone has done for me here but I guess this is a new chapter in my life now.