Shortly after defenseman Jordan Leopold was traded from the Blue Jackets to the Wild on Monday, a handwritten letter from his 11-year-old daughter went viral, and for good reason. Jordyn Leopold's charming letter was a plea for her isolated father to return to Minnesota from Ohio to be with her, her mother and her three siblings.
Jordan Leopold's 11-year-old daughter Jordyn wrote this letter before the trade, according to @KFAN1003. pic.twitter.com/8RpWT9LpgL
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) March 2, 2015Once the dust from the NHL trade deadline settled, the Wild's newest addition met with the media on Tuesday to discuss his recent move, thanks to his adorable daughter.
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“That letter was written by my daughter back in January,” Leopold said, via the Star Tribune. “With anybody that has kids, you know they take things upon themselves sometimes. She was writing a little bit persuasively at school and thought it was a good idea to write a persuasive letter. That was something our family shared, ended up putting it on Facebook.
“It is what it is, it’s a good story and I’m happy the media spun it the right way because really, in the end, this business is hard on families. It really is.”
The business of hockey should no longer be a difficult one, though, as Leopold finally made his way home to his family.
“My daughter is very shy,” Leopold added. “But my kids picked me up at the airport last night with open arms and it was special. I try not to get emotional, but it is. It’s a good thing.”
Leopold, 34, made his NHL debut on Oct. 19, 2002 with the Flames. Prior to his professional career, Leopold played at the University of Minnesota. The Wild will be his eighth team in his 13-year career.
“This is home to me and this is pretty special,” Leopold said. “I got the phone call yesterday from Jarmo [Kekalainen] and didn’t know what to make of it. I’ve always dreamed of it and knew it was possible, but the fact that it becomes reality tonight is something special.”