In a roundabout way, Marc Chouinard has come full circle.
While the lanky centre hopes that Winnipeg is not his final destination, it's where he'll be residing for the immediate future as the newest member of the Manitoba Moose.
Back in 1995, Chouinard was an impressionable youngster who was attending his first NHL training camp with the Winnipeg Jets.
Yesterday, he was a guy two months shy of his 30th birthday who is trying to salvage something from what had been a disappointing season to date.
"I was here for about three weeks of camp that September," said Chouinard, who was a second-round (32nd overall) pick of the Jets in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft and was involved in the memorable trade in February of 1996 that saw Teemu Selanne dealt to the Anaheim Ducks. "A lot of things have happened. In '96, I was a throw-in in that trade. I'm a little more mature and experienced but I'm the same guy I was back then. When I got to the airport (Thursday) I thought '12 years ago I was here.' Time flies and it's kind of ironic that I've come full circle."
Chouinard, who signed a two-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks last summer, was assigned to the Moose on Tuesday after clearing waivers.
And after producing 25 goals and 51 points in two previous NHL seasons with the Minnesota Wild, Chouinard is hoping to rediscover some of his offensive touch.
"I believe everything happens for a reason," said Chouinard. "It's not the ideal situation. Life deals you some things that are hard sometimes but the way I look at it, there are a lot worse situations than mine. The fact that I'm here, it's exciting for me in a way because I'm going to go out there and just do my thing."
Chouinard, who is making $1.1 million US this season, said he didn't feel any additional pressure after signing a big contract.
"Actually no, I didn't," said Chouinard, who was used primarily in a fourth-line role by the Canucks. "I didn't get a lot of ice time and I don't know if Alain (Vigneault) liked the way I played. If he doesn't like the way I play, things are not going to go well. I came to Vancouver hoping to do the things I did in Minnesota but things just didn't go the way I expected them to. I don't waste too much energy on being negative or on regrets or things that should have happened. I'm trying to look at a bright future."
Moose head coach Scott Arniel was happy to see Chouinard on the ice for the morning skate yesterday and could insert him as early as tonight in the rematch against the Marlies.
"He seems excited to play hockey," said Arniel. "Hopefully, he gets comfortable right away and helps us get to where we need to go. I'm looking for him to come in and contribute."
Moose captain Mike Keane said he didn't feel the need to have a pep talk with Chouinard to see where his emotions are.
"He's professional enough to know the situation," said Keane. "I'm sure he's not happy with how things went in Vancouver, but still he's going to come here and want to prove people wrong. I'm sure he'll fit in no problem."
