As a kid growing up in Switzerland, Wild forward Nino Niederreiter developed an affinity for Mike Modano, a legendary forward who thrived as a member of the team formerly known as the Minnesota North Stars.

In an article published by The Players’ Tribune, Niederreiter, a 24-year-old forward, writes about growing up in Chur, Switzerland, a town he describes as “nestled in the shadow of the Swiss Alps.”

Niederreiter notes his only exposure to the NHL was through video games. He writes about playing NHL 2003 — the one with Jarome Iginla on the cover — on Playstation.

“That’s where I found Mike Modano,” Niederreiter writes, emphasizing that Modano’s shot was one of the biggest draws.

He remembers wanting to shoot like Modano as a kid.

“I didn’t have the strength,” he writes. “So what did I do? I did the practical thing. I started working on my wrists and forearms.”

Related Articles Wild: Despite his concussions, Keith Ballard has no qualms with kids playing hockey

Wild players happy to hit ‘refresh button’ with new coach Bruce Boudreau

Charley Walters: Wild owner Craig Leipold doesn’t meddle, just has questions His mother’s uncle was a professional weightlifter, and he started Niederreiter on wrist curls.

“He’d always remind me that a good shot started in the gym and finished in the back of the net,” Niederreiter writes.

Niederreiter now possesses one of the hardest shots among Wild players.

In the article, he writes about starting his playing career in Switzerland, noting that agents began to approach him at the 2008 U-18 World Championships in Russia. Niederreiter eventually made his way to the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League and experienced enough success for the New York Islanders to take him No. 5 overall in the 2010 NHL Draft. He spent one more season with the Winterhawks before making his NHL debut during the 2011–12 season.

Niederreiter was traded to the Wild before the 2013-14 season, and he wrote that Minnesota “was a little bit more like home” compared with New York. He has 58 goals in three seasons with the Wild.

You can read the writeup in its entirety here.