NEWARK, N.J. – Just a few months shy of a decade ago, on June 2, 2015, a 40-year-old John Hynes got his first call to “the show” as an NHL head coach with the New Jersey Devils. At the time, he joked with a friend that Mike Yeo, then coaching the Minnesota Wild at age 41, would no longer be th e league’s youngest coach, nor have the least hair among the NHL coaches. Now 50 and on his third stop in the league, having coached in Nashville prior to taking over the Wild last season, Hynes admitted that the Devils’ home ice will always bring back fond memories. “So many good people that you met here within the organization, some of the players are still here and then obviously life away from the game,” he said following Minnesota’s morning skate at Prudential Center. “My family really enjoyed it here, so it’s kind of a combination. So, it’s always special where you got your first opportunity; a lot of great memories.” In four-plus seasons with the Devils, Hynes’ teams were a cumulative 150-159-45 with one playoff appearance — they fell 4-1 to Tampa Bay in the 2018 opening round. He spent parts of four years in Nashville before the Wild hired him midseason in late 2023. Thinking back on his early days as an NHL head coach, Hynes admitted that he’s a different person 10 years later. “It’s just more experience. There’s lots of similarities that help you get to the NHL, the structure of practices and all the hockey part of it. But I think the more opportunities you have to coach in the NHL, you learn different things. I think experience is a factor, so it’s good. I learned a ton (in New Jersey), I learned a ton in Nashville and I’m still learning here…I think in this business you have to adapt and change and keep some core values, but I think you’re always trying to find a way to be better. For Wild, a bit more wait for Buium University of Denver sophomore defenseman Zeev Buium may sign with the Wild at some point this season, after Minnesota made the San Diego native their first round pick in last summer’s NHL draft. But first, he has another college hockey game, or two, to play. Buium and the Pioneers are headed back to the NCAA Frozen Four looking for a repeat national title after they beat top-ranked Boston College 3-1 on Sunday evening in the finale of the Manchester (N.H.) Regional. Buium had two goals and three assists in Denver’s wins over Providence in the first round and the Eagles in the regional title game. They will face NCHC foe Western Michigan in St. Louis on Thursday, April 10, with a trip to the NCAA title game at stake. Buium, who was named the NCHC’s most valuable player during the conference tournament in St. Paul earlier in March, has emerged as one of the favorites for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to college hockey’s top player. The Pioneers defeated Boston College in St. Paul last April to win the program’s record 10th NCAA hockey title. Another Gopher signs early After three seasons in maroon and gold, and a World Juniors gold medal, defenseman Ryan Chesley is taking his game to the next level. The Washington Capitals, who picked the Mahtomedi native in the second round of the 2022 NHL draft, announced on Monday that they had signed Chesley to an entry-level contract and he would report to their AHL team in Hershey, Pa. Chesley, one of the Minnesota Gophers’ co-captains, played in all 40 games last season, with eight goals and 12 assists. He also led the team with 48 penalty minutes. The most recent signing means that eight of the Gophers’ top 11 scorers will not return next season due to graduation or early signings. Related Articles Progress, but still no set return date, for Wild’s Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek Hischier’s hat trick too much for Wild to overcome A double dip of Devils on the Wild schedule this week Wild going forward with new-look power play Matt Boldy keys Wild’s much-needed rally to sink Capitals ...read more read less