The New York Rangers newest defenseman is excited to come to Broadway, but hockey wasn’t the only reason Jacob Trouba wanted a change of scenery.
Jacob Trouba was thrilled to find out that he was going to play for the New York Rangers after learning of the trade Monday evening.
Trouba was traded to the Rangers for defenseman Neal Pionk and the 20th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. That pick was originally obtained from the Winnipeg Jets in a deal that sent Kevin Hayes to the team in February.
“I’m super excited for a new hockey opportunity and a new place. It’s different, so that’s something you’re naturally excited about. I haven’t thought too much into it, but I know a couple of guys there. You know about the city and playing at MSG on the road, for me, was one of my favorite spots to play. Just with the history and the crowd and the buzz, it’s just a whole new world. I’m excited for new avenues of life and new experiences,” Trouba said to Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun.
The right-handed defenseman was a first-round pick, ninth overall, of the Jets in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He understands the resentment many Winnipeg fans have towards him knowing that he didn’t want to stay with the club.
He wants fans to know that hockey was not the reason he wanted to come and play in the United States, it was a more personal reason for him.
Trouba explained to Wiebe that his fiancee’s successes were a major factor in his decision to want to move on from Winnipeg.
“It’s a great opportunity for myself and my fiancée,” said Trouba, whose partner is about to start her residency in her quest to become a doctor. “Her career is as important as my career. We both are passionate about different things and our goal from a couple of years back was we wanted to make this work. And we decided we wanted to make this work. This is part of it, to be realistic with you.”
Trouba intends to marry his fiance in the near future and wants her to be happy in her career. He knew in order to make that happen she would have to leave Canada and he wanted to make that happen.
Trouba has a close friend on the Rangers team in defenseman Brady Skjei.
“He has been one of my best buddies for the last eight years,” Skjei said of Trouba via the Rangers official twitter account.
“Has been one of my best buddies for the last 8 years.” – @BradySkjei is ? to be #NYR teammates with @JacobTrouba! pic.twitter.com/dexRdiWEl4
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 18, 2019
The Rangers now have to sign Trouba to a contract which should happen in the very near future. For now, Trouba will just enjoy the opportunity to play at his favorite arena, Madison Square Garden, and help the team find their way back to the playoffs.
