New York. For the first time since being traded to Pittsburgh nearly a year ago, Rijkaard Raquel returned to Anaheim last night — hailed by his old club and longtime fans.
– It felt very special, I’m grateful, the 29-year-old from Stockholm tells Sportbladet.
He belonged to Anaheim in the Ducks for a decade, Rickard Rakell, and for several seasons was one of the team’s most productive forwards.
But when the club decided to go through a “rebuild” last year, he, like fellow countryman Hampus Lindholm, was traded and ended up in the Pittsburgh Penguins.
So last night, almost a year later, he was back at Honda Center for the first time.
– I still have many friends here and it was fun to come back and get to know them. It was a little strange to be on the wrong side of the hall, Ricard says when we spoke to him afterwards.
The feelings were mutual. During a commercial break in the first period, a video tribute to “Raks” was introduced and was followed by a standing ovation from the old fans.
– It was very special, and I’m so grateful to be able to be a part of it.
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There were no points against Jacob Silverberg and the other old friends, but the Penguins won 6-3.
– Yes, we played a good game and created as many chances as possible. It’s really good that we’re starting an important road trip this way, Rickard says.
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He also mentioned that Silverberg—who had invited Raquel and defenseman Marcus Peterson, also a former Ducks player, to dinner the night before the game—caught two passes.