Eau Claire (WQOW) -- Eau Claire native Jake Dowell, who recently signed a free agent contract with the NHL's Minnesota Wild, sits down to chat with News 18 Sports Director Bob Bradovich.
Dowell, who's in town to take part in the Eau Claire Youth Hockey golf fundraiser, talks about what it was like going through free agency, how he's very happy to have landed with the Wild, and how the franchise has major expectations after signing fellow free agents Ryan Suter and Zach Parise.
"I don't want to be with an organization that doesn't want to make the playoffs, that's just okay with being mediocre," Dowell says, "I think the expectations from the fans and the players now are to make the playoffs and make a run at the Stanley Cup. I think that's what everybody wants, and it's exciting I think. Ryan and Zach are world-class players, they're not trying to live the next 13 years, the rest of their career, in a place that they can't have a chance at winning the Cup. That's their goal, and it's my goal too."
Also taking part in the golf fundraiser is Los Angeles Kings defenseman and Hudson native Davis Drewiske. He's says while he was thrilled to be part of a Stanley Cup-winning franchise, it was bittersweet since he didn't see the ice at all during the Kings playoff run.
Drewiske is heading into the final year of his contract with the Kings, and says while he likes being in Los Angeles, he'd be open to moving elsewhere.
"We'll see what happens," Drewiske says, "If I get moved somewhere else, then that might be a good thing for me personally. But I'm also in a good situation there in LA as far as the organization and my teammates. I'll just do my part, get ready for next year and if I'm there, great. If I"m somewhere else, than I'll be ready for whatever opportunity I get."
Drewiske also says he'll be bringing the Stanley Cup to Hudson on Monday, August 27.
Bob Bradovich & Jake Dowell
