Turco ready for emotional return to Dallas

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Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011
Posted 5:39 p.m.Updated 8:24 p.m.

By Tracey Myers
CSNChicago.com

EDMONTON, AlbertaWhen Marty Turco walks back into Dallas American Airlines Center on Friday morning, hell likely take the same route he did for nine seasons as the Stars goaltender.

Hell probably walk the same hallway and see a lot of the same crew and trainers. And then hell keep on walking, for the first time, into the visitors locker room.

WATCH: Turco's Degree father-son shootout

Itll certainly be a strange trip for Turco, but a memorable one as hell start against his old team in his old stomping grounds for the first time as a Blackhawk. Turcos wife and three children were already in Dallas when the Blackhawks were scheduled to land on Thursday evening. Hes been looking at this day on the Blackhawks schedule for a long time.

Thereve been plenty of thoughts, probably since the day I knew I wasnt going to be back and the schedule came out, Turco said. It seemed like it was a long time away until February but that was probably a good thing. I was getting used to a new team, city and surroundings.

All that aside, its going to be a big game, period, he said. On top of it Im sure therell be some emotions, but I think Ill be all right handling them.

Patrick Kane said he talked to Turco about going back to Dallas on Wednesday night.

He said he was there nine years and nothing changed, from the security guards to the way he walked in to the guys who helped him with his equipment, Kane said. Ive never been on that side, but growing up a huge Sabres fan, I felt like I was part of that team in my childhood. But its pretty cool. Im sure hes going to put forth a good effort.

And Turco will have some good fun at his old teams expense. He said he wouldve liked to have played the Stars when they came to Chicago earlier this season to get some of the slashing I need to do out of the way. But I guess Im just going to have to do it all in one night.

Stars captain Brenden Morrow, Turcos best friend, said hell be prepared.

Itll be tough on my calves. Hes pretty good with the stick, Morrow told the Dallas Morning News. But itll be different. Ten-odd years or so, everything we went through together. Itll be a little weird.

For Turco, its a journey to the past and it has a lot of memories, most of them good. There were the great regular-season marks, the 2008 run to the Western Conference Finals and the longtime friends still in that locker room. He and Morrow have been best friends for years.

We spent a lot of time together, probably more than any two men should in a hockey relationship, Turco joked. But there are a lot of guys in that locker room that I had a chance to see grow up or grow up with and go through the ups and downs. Thats cool. Those are the memories you make when you wrap up a career.

Turco was a longtime fan favorite in Dallas. Given the way his time ended there, he should probably get a good reaction from the crowd.

We all want rose petals and foghorns you know, he said with a smile.

Turco admits hell deal with the emotions early. After that, itll be business as usual. The Blackhawks are in a situation where points take precedent over reunions pretty quick. Still, Turco will enjoy the moment for what it is.

It was a long time there, he said. From when they drafted me in 94, I had dreams of playing for the Stars and had a good run with them. It was a huge chunk of my life. My time has come and gone, and this is just a fun moment and a memorable one.

Hossa questionable

WATCH: Coach Q insists Hossa isn't hurt again

Marian Hossa has the flu and is questionable for Fridays game against the Stars. Replays showed Hossa took a Ladislav Smid elbow around the chin area in Wednesdays 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. But coach Joel Quenneville said Hossas status had nothing to do with the hit. Hossa traveled separately from the team to Dallas.

Froliks introduction

WATCH: Hawks get steal in Frolik

Newly acquired forward Michael Frolik met the Blackhawks in Dallas on Thursday and will play Friday against the Stars. Where he fits into the Blackhawks lines, exactly, isnt known yet.

You have an idea, some things you want to try, said Quenneville, who added some depends on Hossas status for the game. We might be experimenting a little more tomorrow than we anticipated. There are a lot of options.

Tracey Myers is CSNChicago.com's Blackhawks Insider. Follow Tracey on Twitter @TramyersCSN for up-to-the-minute Hawks information.

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